‘Tiger’ pugmark spotted in Odisha’s Keonjhar protected forest

Forest officials in Keonjhar district confirmed on Monday the presence of tiger footprints in the Machhagada area, falling under the Patana range and Karanjia boundaries. A patrolling team from the forest department has recently recorded the tracks while monitoring the protected forest.

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The department had deployed a dedicated team to ensure close observation of tigers in the region. To capture photographic evidence, 35 camera traps were installed throughout the forest. While no tiger sightings have been reported so far, the forest officials say tigers do occasionally traverse the region.

“Footprints indicate the tiger is moving through the forest from time to time,” Keonjhar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Dhanraj Hanumant Dhamdhere said. Authorities have emphasised continuous monitoring to ensure the safety of both wildlife and local communities.

“As per information provided by the Similipal (sanctuary) Field Director, a tiger aged around 20-22 months was earlier sighted in the Thakurmunda-Karanjia region. The animal had moved out of the core area and was roaming there (in Karanjia forest),” the Keonjhar DFO stated.

“There is a tiger corridor stretching from Similipal and Thakurmunda up to the Rebena and Satkosia via Anandpur, Santoshpur RF (reserve forest), and Atei RF. We have installed camera traps to capture the animal movement,” the Keonjhar DFO expressed.

“The pugmarks of a tiger were spotted a day before yesterday at Machhagada beat near the Karanjia border and under the Saharpada section. It is matching with the pugmarks of that tiger. Atei is a dense forest and an ideal habitat for the big cats,” the DFO further said.

“It is a good sign that the tiger has preferred to come to this location. Very likely, the animal would continue to stay here; or else, may return too,” the DFO added.