Kokrajhar administration declares restricted zone near village after tiger sighting
A five-kilometre radius around Gelaguri village is now off-limits following the sighting of a female Royal Bengal tigress.
The Kokrajhar district administration has established a restricted zone within a five-kilometre radius of Gelaguri village after a female Royal Bengal tigress was spotted on November 2. According to The Sentinel, the tigress reportedly strayed from neighbouring West Bengal into the forest-fringe area of the village under Dotma Revenue Circle.
District Magistrate Pankaj Chakravarty invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in an order issued today. The move aims to protect human life and livestock and prevent public gatherings from interfering with capture efforts.
The restricted area includes Gelaguri, East Bongshigaon, West Dangarkhuti, North Bhalukmari, Dangarkhuti, and Ghoramari villages. The sighting was reported by the Divisional Forest Officer of Kachugaon Division.
Under the new rules, groups of five or more people are prohibited from gathering to chase or watch the animal. Entering forest areas within this zone requires prior permission from the concerned Divisional Forest Officer.
The order also bans the use of firearms, sharp weapons, traps, poison, firecrackers, loudspeakers, and unauthorised private drones. Violators will face legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
These restrictions came into immediate effect. They will remain in place until the forest department formally declares the capture operation complete.