Guwahati, Nov 8 (PTI) Three cubs belonging to the cat family have been spotted near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Charaideo Moidams in Assam, prompting the Forest Department to step up vigil in the area, state minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said on Sunday.
The animals were spotted by local residents on Saturday, but their exact species is yet to be established, the forest minister said.
They could be tiger cubs, leopard cubs or belong to another species, he said in a social media post, sharing photographs of the sighting.
A Forest Department team has visited the area to assess the situation and take necessary precautions, he said.
Baruah urged residents and tourists to exercise caution and maintain a safe distance from the animals, warning against approaching or chasing them or gathering in crowds that could disturb their movement.
He also appealed to people to promptly report any further sightings to forest officials.
"Wildlife protection requires awareness, patience and responsible behaviour," the minister said, adding that the sighting underscored the need to preserve the natural surroundings of the historic site.
He said the government's responsibility was to protect wildlife while ensuring the safety of local communities and visitors.
The Charaideo Moidams, the burial grounds of Ahom kings and queens, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2024. The necropolis contains around 90 mound-burial structures built over hollow vaults of brick, stone or earth, often topped by shrines and enclosed within octagonal walls.
The Tai-Ahoms migrated to present-day Assam in the 13th century and established Charaideo as their first capital and royal necropolis. Over the next six centuries, they built the Moidams by integrating the burial structures with the natural landscape of hills, forests and water bodies.
