Roing, Lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh – Multiple recent sightings of tigers along the Mayudia Road have prompted the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department to issue an urgent public advisory, urging residents and travellers to avoid using the stretch on foot or two-wheelers until further notice.
The advisory follows credible reports and camera-trap images confirming the presence of at least one adult tiger (and possibly more) frequently crossing and resting near the road in the Mayudia area, a forested corridor connecting Roing with surrounding villages and remote settlements.
Details of Recent Sightings
Forest guards and local villagers have reported several daytime and early-evening tiger movements over the past two weeks. Key observations include:
- Tigers seen resting under roadside vegetation during daylight hours
- Fresh pugmarks and scat regularly found along the road shoulders
- One instance of a tiger briefly crossing the road in front of a vehicle
While no human attacks or livestock depredation have been recorded in this immediate period, the frequency of sightings in a relatively busy stretch has raised serious safety concerns, especially for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorbike riders.
Forest Department Advisory – Key Instructions
In an official notice issued on February 3, the Divisional Forest Officer, Lower Dibang Valley, directed the public to strictly follow these precautions:
- Avoid walking or using two-wheelers on Mayudia Road, particularly during early morning and late afternoon/evening hours when tiger activity peaks.
- Four-wheelers only are permitted; drive slowly and remain inside vehicles.
- Do not stop vehicles to take photographs or observe wildlife on foot.
- Report any fresh sighting immediately to the nearest forest beat office, police station, or the toll-free forest helpline.
- Avoid carrying small livestock or leaving children unattended near the roadside in the affected zone.
The department has deployed extra patrols, installed additional signage, and increased camera-trap monitoring to track movement patterns and assess whether this is a transient passage or a more regular territory use.
Why This Stretch Is Sensitive
The Mayudia Road passes through a critical wildlife corridor linking the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining reserve forests. The area supports healthy populations of tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, Himalayan black bears, and various prey species. Seasonal movement of tigers toward lower elevations during winter, combined with roadside vegetation offering cover, has increased visibility of the big cats near human pathways.
Forest officials stress that the tigers are not aggressive toward humans but may react defensively if surprised at close range—making it essential to eliminate foot and two-wheeler traffic in the zone.
Community Cooperation Sought
The advisory appeals to local communities, drivers, schoolchildren, and daily commuters to cooperate fully until tiger movement patterns stabilize or the animals shift deeper into the forest. Officials have promised regular updates and assured that the restriction is temporary and aimed purely at public safety.
This incident highlights the delicate balance between human mobility and wildlife conservation in Arunachal Pradesh’s biodiversity-rich landscapes, where increasing sightings of large carnivores near roads are becoming more frequent due to habitat connectivity and effective protection measures.
Relevant Tags
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Hashtags
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