Siliguri, Oct. 1 -- For years, Buxa's forests have been without the roar of a tiger, but that is set to change on Friday with the release of a three-year-old tigress from Bihar's Valmiki Tiger Reserve, marking the start of West Bengal's first organised tiger reintroduction programme.

The tigress, tranquilised at Valmiki on Tuesday evening after several days of efforts amid heavy rain, was airlifted to Hasimara and subsequently brought to Buxa.

She is now being kept under observation in a specially prepared enclosure. Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon said on Wednesday that the animal was healthy and showing normal behaviour.

The Forest Department has made extensive preparations for the reintroduction. A prey base has been strengthened wi...