The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, India, has experienced significant ecological, social, and historical transformations during the colonial and post-independence periods. Originally under Bhutanese rule, the area gained strategic importance during the British colonial era. The establishment of the Buxa Fort as a detention camp for political prisoners marked its dark history. During the colonial period, exploitative policies led to deforestation, tea garden establishment, and commercial tree plantations. Infrastructure development, such as railways and roads, facilitated resource extraction, causing habitat fragmentation. The introduction of the “Taungya” system and game hunting further impacted biodiversity. In the post-colonial era, conservation efforts emerged, focusing on flagship species, forest protection committees, and community involvement. However, human-wildlife conflicts, illegal activities like poaching and logging, and infrastructure development persist, posing ongoing threats to the reserve’s biodiversity.