First ever royal Bengal tiger sighting in Sikkim's Yali forest

For the first time, photos of a royal Bengal tiger have been captured in the high-altitude Yali forest, located about 25 kilometres from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. This unprecedented sighting marks a significant milestone for wildlife conservation in the region.

The images were obtained through trap cameras set up as part of a joint initiative between the Sikkim Forest and Environment Department and the Global Tiger Forum (GTF). This effort is part of a larger tiger habitat conservation project aimed at monitoring and protecting tiger populations.



Previously, a tiger was sighted in December 2023 at the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, also in Sikkim.

The GTF has been implementing the "Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme" in Sikkim, supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and funded by German Cooperation via KfW Development Bank. The programme addresses the declining tiger population in the region, which has been impacted by anthropogenic pressures, forest fragmentation, poaching, and illegal trade.


Sikkim is a vital corridor for tigers in the Eastern Himalayas, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to maintain the species' genetic diversity and ensure its long-term survival, along with that of its prey. The project encompasses multiple protected areas, including Khangchendzonga National Park, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Pangolakha, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, and various reserve forests such as Lachen, Lachung, Chungthang, Phodong, Kabi, Tingda, Lagyap, Yali, and Phadamchen.



The project aims to establish and standardise protocols for tiger monitoring and research, reduce human-wildlife conflict, increase household income for local communities, strengthen institutional capacity, and maintain effective monitoring and patrolling to protect the environment.

Additionally, the GTF plans to provide tiger-specific training to at least 100 forest officials and frontline staff to enhance conservation efforts. The project will also focus on assessing and monitoring species and their habitats, including critical wildlife corridors within Sikkim and along the Sikkim-Bengal and Sikkim-Bhutan borders.

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This historic sighting in Yali forest underscores the importance of ongoing conservation efforts and highlights the need for continued vigilance to ensure the survival of tigers in the region.


Another good news has come from Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, where one tigress, translocated from Corbett Tiger Reserve to Rajaji Tiger Reserve, gave birth to 4 cubs. The cubs were captured by trap cameras. Read all about Rajaji Tiger Reserve here.

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