A tiger has been captured on a camera trap for the first time in nearly 20 years inside D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, indicating ecological recovery and successful conservation efforts.

About D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary

• The sanctuary is located in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.
• It spreads across nearly 190 square kilometres along the floodplains of the Siang River and its tributaries.
• It was established in 1976 and was initially known as Lali Wildlife Sanctuary after the declaration of Lali Reserve Forest as a sanctuary and was renamed as D`Ering in 1986. 
• The sanctuary is named after Daying Ering, former Union Minister and chairman of the Ering Commission, which contributed to strengthening the Panchayati Raj system in India.
• It is known for its unique riverine grassland and wetland ecosystem.
• It enjoys a tropical climate and receives north-east and south-west monsoons. 
• The sanctuary includes scattered patches of trees such as Termenelia myriocarpa, Dillenia indica, Albizia spp., Bombax ceiba, and others.
• Mammals in the sanctuary are represented by Hog Deer, Wild Pig, Tiger and Elephant.
• More than 150 species of birds are the inhabitants of the sanctuary, including the endangered ones like White-Winged Wood Duck, and Bengal Florican.

Key Highlights of the Discovery

• Forest officials and frontline staff had observed indirect signs of tiger presence over the past year.
• Multiple rounds of systematic camera-trap monitoring were conducted with technical support from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE).
• The latest survey finally captured photographic evidence of the tiger, confirming the species’ return to the sanctuary.

Exam Hook – Prelims Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary:

1. It is located in Arunachal Pradesh.
2. It lies in the floodplains of the Siang River.
3. It is famous for riverine grassland ecosystems.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

One Line Wrap

• The return of the tiger to D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary highlights the growing success of community-supported wildlife conservation in Northeast India.

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