Bear stays away, TNA reopens FOREST DEPTT INSTALLS CAMERA TRAPS TO KEEP WATCH ON WILDLIFE ACTIVITY ON CAMPUS SAGAR CHHETRI

GANGTOK, 22 April: The bear scare at Tashi Namgyal Academy is over and the school reopened on Monday after a nearly weeklong suspension after a bear was sighted at the campus within days of having attacked a cop posted there on security detail. While the Forest Department had initially laid traps on campus as a security measure against a return visit, it has now installed less traumatizing camera traps there. The Department installed 3 camera traps in the more forested patch of the TNA campus before the school reopened. The Wildlife Division of the Department will be checking the recordings of the camera traps on a daily basis.
Following the sighting of Himalayan Black Bear by a Chowkidar at TNA in the small patch of forest behind the under construction Principal’s bungalow on the night of 14 April, the school had shut down as a precaution till 20 April [Sunday].
Over the last week, the Forest Department set up two cages and carried out combing operations while closely monitoring the campus. The bear did not return and with the situation having eased, the school reopened on Monday.
DFO [Wildlife], East, Abhay Bhaskar, today informed that despite regular combing operations by Forest personnel, no trace of the bear was found. He informed that the department has removed the cage installed behind the Science Block of the school but will be keeping the cage beside the under construction bungalow [where the bear was reportedly sighted].
He reiterated that the school campus was safe.
The department has also submitted a detailed report on the incident to the District Collectorate [East].
The DFO informs that as a further security measure to preempt human-wildlife conflict, the department has now installed 3 camera traps in the campus. He further informs that the recordings of the first day have not shown any movement of wildlife in the area. He mentioned that the departmental team would closely and regularly monitor the recordings.
The Department also conducted an awareness programme for students from class IX and above on Monday. The senior students were also advised to watch out even more closely for juniors in the school.
The DFO informs that students were also advised do not enter the surrounding forest area and further advised against throwing food in and around the campus of the school.