Safari Services Resume at Buxa Tiger Reserve Following Protest Resolution

Tourism activities in the Alipurduar district are seeing a positive shift as jeep safari services resume at the Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR). According to ETV Bharat, a joint action committee representing 18 forest villages temporarily suspended their month-long protest on November 2, 2026, following a meeting with the state forest minister and district administration. While the Rajabhatkhawa checkpost remains operational, authorities have confirmed that tourists may now proceed with their visits, including overnight stays in local homestays. Residents of the Buxa Hills have also been granted an exemption from entry fees as part of the mediated agreement. Visitors are advised to collect their safari tickets directly from the Rajabhatkhawa checkpost. Meanwhile, the tigress 'Dooars Rani,' whose reintroduction to the BTR on October 2 initially prompted strict tourism curbs, was returned to the reserve on November 3, 2026, after a brief excursion into Assam, as reported by The Hindu. Travelers planning to visit the wider Dooars region, including Gorumara National Park, should continue to verify all permit requirements and weekly closure schedules via the official West Bengal Forest Department portal, as noted by the WayToIndia permits desk.