With 900 cameras, Tiger Census in Odisha begins

Bhubaneswar: The Forest and Environment Department will begin tiger census in Odisha forests from Friday.

As many as 900 cameras have been installed in different jungles for the Tiger Census 2018, informed Forest and Environment Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra.

Counting of tigers would continue for a week, he said.

Both direct and indirect methods will be used to ascertain the status of the big cats in the State.

“The Tiger Census in Odisha that coincides with the National Tiger Census will be carried out in all forest divisions. Field officials of all the divisions have been trained for the programme. About 900 cameras have been placed at strategic points from where capturing footage of the big cats would be easier,” said Mohapatra.

Unlike earlier, the State government has brought the entire Similipal Tiger Reserve, which houses the State’s largest tiger population, under the scope of the census. Of the State’s total population of 40 tigers, 29 are stated to be in Similipal.

“There were a total of 40 tigers in the State last year. We expect the number might have increased this year,” said an official.