The Bengal forest department has decided to put up net fencing within 1km of the Raika Hills area where tigress Zeenat is currently located in Purulia, in a bid to make her proposed tranquillisation easier and avert potential human-animal conflict.

The concept of net fencing has been planned in the same way that the department segregates a tiger zone from human habitats in the Sunderbans, home to around 125 Bengal tigers.

A consignment of nets has already been sent from the Sunderbans to Purulia.

Nets will surround the stretch of the forest in the Raika Hills.

“We will prepare the nylon net fence within a one-kilometre radius from where the tigress is currently located to make tranquillisation easier. We have brought nylon nets from the Sunderbans, and this step will be used to guard the tigress and ensure the safety of local people as well because both the tigress and people are equally important,” said S. Kulandaivel, the chief conservator of forests (CCF) for the Western Circle.

They have already begun putting up the netting in nearby villages for the safety of the villagers, he added.

Since Zeenat left Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve earlier this month, it has become a challenge for three states — Odisha, Jharkhand and Bengal — to tranquillise her and make return her to Similipal.

After walking through the forests of Odisha and Jharkhand, Zeenat entered Bengal’s Jhargram last Friday and in a couple of days, reached Purulia, causing sleepless nights for foresters as the region is not a typical tiger habitat.

In the past five days, foresters have tried their best to tranquillise Zeenat by placing baits such as buffalo calves, goats, and boars. However, Zeenat has not taken the bait and continues to hunt small animals inside the forest.

A forester said there are many wild boars in the Raika Hills forest.

“The tigress is young and energetic, and she is behaving exactly like a big cat should. She is hunting small animals and avoiding baits,” said a senior forest official.

Zeenat was brought to Simlipal in November from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra to improve genetic diversity in Odisha. Another tigress, 2.5-year-old Jamuna, was brought from Maharashtra in October to Similipal.

“We have spoken to foresters in Tadoba, who told us Zeenat is intelligent and energetic. That is why tranquillisation will not be easy,” the official added.

Once the area where the tigress is located is surrounded by nets, she will be unable to move freely, which will help them tranquillise her without the risk of facing her attack, he said.

“We need to observe the animal and dart it carefully, as we have to ensure Zeenat returns unharmed. A tigress is not like an elephant, which is comparatively easier to dart,” said a senior forest official in Calcutta.

Some villagers on Tuesday complained to foresters that several goats had gone
missing.

A forester said the goats had wandered 3km into the forest, despite repeated appeals to villagers to keep their cattle and goats away from forested areas for grazing.

“Despite our campaigns, villagers let goats into the forest. We can’t do anything, as it is the nature of a tiger to kill its prey if it comes near. The tiger is our national animal, and protecting it is our highest priority,” said the forester.