Villages on edge as tiger moves through Lucknow’s outskirts! Forest Dept. steps up vigilance

Following the numerous recent sightings of tiger on trap cameras, the Forest Department has ramped up efforts to capture the wild cat, prowling the forests of Rehmankhera in Lucknow.

Now, a high watchtower has been constructed in the fourth block of the ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture to monitor the movements. Furthermore, a team of forest officials, along with a tranquillizer expert and a veterinarian, will remain available around the clock to ensure swift action.

Reports of tiger activity in the Kakori and Rehmankhera areas have been surfacing since December 2. Over the past 20 days, pugmarks have been found in several villages surrounding the horticulture institute.

As of now, the tiger has reportedly hunted two nilgai near Haluwapur village and close to a cage set up in the forest. Villagers have also claimed multiple sightings of the animal.

Previously, the Forest Department installed 15 trap cameras and two cages in the area to track and capture the tiger, alongside conducting continuous combing operations. The tiger was last seen passing in front of a trap camera in the institute’s fourth block on Friday morning.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Dr. Sitanshu Pandey stated that the pugmarks indicate the tiger is likely confined to the ICAR institute. To closely monitor its activity, the watchtower will be manned at night by forest officials and a tranquillizer expert. The team is prepared to tranquilize and safely capture the animal at the earliest opportunity.