Buxa Tiger Reserve

State

West Bengal

History

Altitude (above M.S.L.)

125 - 1750 m

Buxa serves as an international corridor for the migration of elephants between India and Bhutan. The Tiger Reserve was created in 1983 but 117km² of the area was only notified as a National Park in 1997.

Area

Total

760.9 km²

Core

385.0 km²

Buffer

375.9 km²

Flora and Fauna

The flora at Buxa is extremely diverse. Ten forest types occur here and more that 1509 plant species have been identified. Some of the important species are Sal, Champa, Gamar, Simul and Chikrasi. A further 390 bird species, 73 mammal species, 76 different snake species and 5 species of amphibians have also been identified. There are an estimated 33 tigers in the reserve.

Temperature

15°C - 39°C

Rainfall (per annum)

3570 - 5600 mm

Seasons

Winter

Oct - Jan

Summer

Feb -May

Monsoon

Jun - Sep

Forest Types

Northern Dry Deciduous Forest, Eastern Bhabar, Terai Sal, East Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest, Sub-Himalayan Secondary Wet Mixed Forest, Eastern Sub-Montane Semi-Evergreen Forest, Northern Tropical Evergreen Forest, East Himalayan Subtropical Wet Hill Forest, Moist Sal Savanna, Low Alluvium Savannah Woodland

Fauna

Tiger, elephant, leopard cat, gaur, wild boar, sambar, hog deer, Chinese pangolin, etc.

Funds

Flow is not a problem

Management Objectives

Staff

Untrained & understaffed

Protection and habitat management are priority activities. The felling of natural forests and cutting of cane and bamboo as well as dolomite mining, which was once prevalent in the area, are no longer allowed at Buxa.

Problems

Soil degradation and erosion, caused by mono-cultures of teak and by fires, results in frequent floods. There is also a lack of drinking water at many locations in the reserve. Grazing is a great menace at Buxa and weeds, unpalatable grasses and shrubs have invaded the over-grazed areas. Cattle carry diseases such as Anthrax, Foot and Mouth Disease and Haemorhapic Septicmis and Block Quarter (HSBQ) to the reserve. Elephants and leopards attack villagers periodically resulting in injuries or death. Timber thieves are active in the reserveand poaching also occurs.

External Influences
(1991 census)

Human Population

236,000

Livestock numbers

100,000