On #InternationalSnowLeopardDay, let’s celebrate these magnificent big cats and reaffirm our commitment to protecting their habitat and preserving the rich biodiversity of our mountains.

Inspired by the vision of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji for landscape conservation and species protection, a significant milestone has been achieved in Buxa Tiger Reserve. Tiger T138 has been reintroduced in Buxa after being translocated from Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar, marking an important step towards restoring the tiger in this historic landscape. As India observes Wildlife Week 2026, the return of the tiger to Buxa reflects a conservation approach that goes beyond reintroduction, focusing on creating the right conditions for the species to recover naturally. This includes habitat improvement, prey-base augmentation, strengthening protection and monitoring, scientific assessment and capacity building. The long-term objective is the establishment, over time, of a healthy, free-ranging and self-sustaining tiger population, supported by secure habitat, adequate prey, effective protection, ecological connectivity and scientific monitoring. For this recovery to be sustainable, local communities remain an important part of the landscape. Meaningful participation can help align conservation with opportunities for eco-tourism and nature-based livelihood generation, creating pathways for communities to benefit from and contribute to the conservation of Buxa. The return of the tiger is therefore one part of a larger journey: restoring the landscape, strengthening its ecological resilience and creating the conditions for wildlife and local communities to thrive together. #WildlifeWeek