Foresters in West Bengal's Gorumara wildlife division are preparing extensive evidence gathering for the upcoming January 2026 tiger census to confirm the presence of royal Bengal tigers in Neora Valley National Park. Despite multiple camera trap images and evidence like scat samples since 2017, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has not officially recognized tigers in the region, awaiting verification from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Experts highlight Neora Valley's crucial role as a natural corridor connecting with sanctuaries in Sikkim and Bhutan.