Lucknow has a new visitor stealing the spotlight! A tiger might have strayed into the city’s outskirts, making Rehmankheda its potential hideout. This big cat seems to be exploring the nawabi hospitality firsthand.

Lucknow, sits along a tiger corridor that extends from Lakhimpur Kheri, passing through Shahjahanpur and Hardoi, via the Sharda Canal. Tigers, drawn by good prey base like Rehmankheda, often make temporary stops. The killing of a blue bull (nilgai) on December 13 has sparked fears of a tiger’s presence in the area.

1. Thermal drones deployed for day-and-night monitoring. Increased camera traps to track movement.

2. Posters put up in villages such as Ulrapur, Methenagar and Dugauli, highlighting ‘Dos and Don’ts.

3. Villagers have been asked to stay indoors at night and not wander alone or let children play outside. Further, they are encouraged to move in groups with sticks for safety. Meanwhile, schoolsare advised to restrict movement of children.

4. Three dedicated on-ground teams are monitoring camera traps and two cages round the clock.

5. Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture directed to minimise staff movement near the forest.

While tiger visits are rare, leopards frequently visit Lucknow via routes such as Unnao-Malesemau and Dubagga via the Gomti River. Camera traps recorded leopard activity in 2021–22. As the city’s expanding human habitat encroaches upon the surrounding forests, wandering tigers invariably make the news.

At present, forest officials are maintaining vigilance while working to avoid unnecessary panic. Meanwhile, Rehmankheda remains a likely temporary refuge for the wandering tiger. For now, it is a wait-and-watch situation, ensuring both public safety and the tiger’s protection.