And, why not? It is one of the most unique forests in India in terms of the vast biodiversity found here. Lush green landscape, with beautiful rivers criss-crossing them, is a sight to remember. The natural grasslands that are inhabited by seven magnificent cat species make the forest stand out. Soon after taking charge in February two years ago, I remember a day when I was out with my team patrolling the forest.
The forest was green — Buxa is one forest that looks draped in a green carpet even when it doesn’t rain. As we were patrolling the forest, we saw a huge leopard, probably a male, resting on the forest tracks — a roadblock none would mind. And, leopards here are very bold and healthy, and Buxa has a very good population of leopards.
Since 2021, I have had many interesting experiences in this north Bengal forest, but the one that will remain very close to my heart is tracking a tiger through its pugmarks and scratch marks on trees in late 2021. Separate forest teams in Buxa were busy looking for the big cat after its pugmarks were noticed in the forest. Finally, in December 2021, one of the camera trap stations placed inside the forest clicked the tiger.
It was a eureka moment as a tiger was photographed in Buxa after a gap of more than two decades. We immediately intensified protection measures inside the forest and strengthened conservation efforts.
Spending long hours photographing and documenting herds of elephants inside the forest is another thing that I love. Observing their social life, how they interact with members of their herds are like snippets from the wild — they teach you key lessons of life.
And, the blessings of nature didn’t end here.
On one morning in 2022, while I was out on patrolling duty with my team, we saw 120 wreathed hornbills, considered vulnerable on IUCN Red List, at a single location inside the forest. On one tree there were 30. I made photographs and videos documenting the gift of nature.
Among other key wildlife sightings I had here will be that of a yellow-throated marten and a leopard cat. The swiftness and agility of the leopard cat — like a house cat in size with spots like leopards on body — had taken me by surprise.
A key aspect of my stint of more than two years in Buxa so far will be getting associated with conservation of vultures. And, the vulture conservation breeding centre at Ra jabhatkhawa has been instrumental in this conservation effort and is probably the most successful such centre in India now. It has so far released 30 captive-bred critically endangered white-backed vultures into the wild till now with satellite tags, known as platform transmitter terminal, through which they are regularly monitored. It has also released Himalayan griffon vultures back into the wild after treatment following their rescue.
In these years, spending time in the forest while executing my duty to protect the greens and its denizens, I have learnt the importance of con necting with the common people. The more you connect with people, the more you can take the message of conservation to them. Until and unless people get to know about what the species is, how will they feel the connect? And, social media is an important tool today to establish that link with nature.
(Parveen Kaswan, a 2016 batch IFS, posted as deputy field director, west, in West Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve, spoke to Krishnendu Mukherjee)
