Guwahati: A male tiger has been camera-trapped in Dihing Patkai National Park, marking the first scientific confirmation of the big cat’s presence in the rainforest through camera-trap monitoring.
The development was announced by Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah in a post on X. The tiger was recorded during a wildlife monitoring exercise carried out by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in collaboration with the Margherita West Forest Range under the Digboi Forest Division.
Forest officials had earlier detected pugmarks in the area, raising the possibility of tiger presence. The latest camera-trap photograph has now provided scientific evidence confirming the animal’s presence in the national park.
Baruah described the discovery as a proud moment for Assam and highlighted the rich biodiversity of Dihing Patkai.
Assam is estimated to have around 200 tigers, accounting for approximately 6.16 per cent of India’s estimated tiger population of 3,682. The state’s tiger population is primarily concentrated in protected areas including Kaziranga, Manas, Orang and Nameri.
The confirmation of a tiger in Dihing Patkai is being viewed as an encouraging development for wildlife conservation in the state. It also highlights the importance of continued monitoring and protection of the region’s rainforest ecosystem.
Often referred to as the “Amazon of the East,” Dihing Patkai National Park spans approximately 234.26 square kilometres of lowland tropical rainforest across Assam’s Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.
The camera-trap record adds Dihing Patkai to the growing list of Assam’s landscapes where tiger presence has been scientifically documented. For forest officials and frontline personnel, the discovery reflects sustained patrolling, wildlife surveillance and monitoring efforts in the region.
The presence of the apex predator also offers a positive indication of the ecological richness and wildlife potential of one of Assam’s most important rainforest landscapes.