Sambalpur: In a major development that has delighted the nature enthusiasts of Odisha, a Royal Bengal Tiger has been sighted inside the Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary in Odisha’s Bargarh district. The images of the tiger were captured by some tourists on Saturday. The tiger was seen under the dense forests just 20 meters away from the Eco retreat nature camp. The forest department officials from Hirakud Wildlife Division have confirmed the presence of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The Forest Department officials have installed trap cameras near the spot to keep an eye on the movement of the tiger. According to Anshu Pragyan Das, DFO, Hirakud Wildlife Division, “Tourists spotted the tiger in the eco-tourism zone of the sanctuary in the evening. We have taken several measures to protect the animal. In case of illegal entry, immediate action would be taken against the violators.” She also said that Rs 1000 will be given as reward to people who provide information about poachers, setting up of traps and illegal hooking in the area.
Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary is known for a wide range of flora and fauna and is said to be an ideal habitat for Bengal tigers. Three weeks, back people had seen the tiger near the entrance gate of the sanctuary. The Sanctuary houses more than forty species of mammals, 180 species of birds, 40 species of reptiles, and 12 species of amphibians.