Kolkata: In a significant step toward enhancing human-wildlife conflict mitigation in the Sunderbans, the Forest Department of the West Bengal government is set to replace aging nylon nets with new ones across key areas prone to tiger movement. The initiative aims to curb instances of tigers straying into human habitations by swimming across creeks that dissect the world’s largest mangrove forest.
A senior forest official confirmed that of the 85 km stretch of nylon nets currently acting as a barrier between tiger habitats and nearby villages, 56 km of old fencing will be replaced by September 2025.
Targeted Zones for New Fencing
The replacement work will cover crucial stretches in Ajmalmari and Herobhanga in the Raidighi belt, as well as Nagenabad, Deulbari, and Kishori Mohanpur under the Kultali range. These are zones where tiger intrusion incidents have been frequently reported.
The official stated that the tender process has already been initiated, and the project will proceed in phases. The older nets, originally installed in 2021, are now nearing the end of their effective lifespan.
“It is a continuous process as the nets are replaced in phases whenever there is a need. The life span of a net is usually for five years,” the forest official said.
Recent Stray Incidents Raise Alarm
The Kultali belt has witnessed at least five cases of tiger intrusion since January 2025. In most cases, the big cats swam across narrow water channels and hid in dense foliage near human settlements before either returning to their territory or being safely captured by forest officials and released deep inside the reserve.
In one alarming incident in February, a forest department employee was seriously injured after a tiger attacked during an operation to rescue it.
These repeated incidents have intensified the need to fortify barriers and enhance community safety in fringe areas of the Sunderbans, where coexistence with tigers remains a delicate balance.
Sunderbans: A Fragile Tiger-Human Interface
The Sunderbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, has always posed a unique conservation challenge. With rising sea levels, habitat shrinkage, and increasing human dependence on forest resources, tiger-human conflict has grown in frequency.
The installation of nylon net fencing, introduced years ago, has proven effective in preventing tiger intrusions but requires regular maintenance and timely replacement to remain effective.
With monsoon approaching and the terrain becoming more unpredictable, the department is working on a strict timeline to complete the fencing replacement before weather-related challenges delay progress.
