MYSURU: The fifth edition of the much-awaited national tiger census commenced on Saturday at Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Chamarajanagar district, one of the prime reserves in the country.
The census in the other tiger reserves — Nagarahole, Bhadra, BRT and Kali— will begin on Sunday. Census in Malemahadeshwara Hills Wildlife sanctuary is set to begin from February. The state has five tiger reserves and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. The census assumes significance for Karnataka as it is looking to regain the No.1 spot among the tiger states in the country. In the 2018 census, Madhya Pradesh won the coveted ‘tiger state’ tag with 526 tigers while Karnataka recorded two less, 524.
Unlike the previous census which began simultaneously in all reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, this time, it has been divided and left to each division to decide their date of commencement. The census is expected to be completed by February 8. Apart from tigers, data on other animals like elephants, Indian gaurs, deer will also be collected and compiled.
Amid the absence of volunteers, forest department officials are taking up this exercise in two phases.
The census in the other tiger reserves — Nagarahole, Bhadra, BRT and Kali— will begin on Sunday. Census in Malemahadeshwara Hills Wildlife sanctuary is set to begin from February. The state has five tiger reserves and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. The census assumes significance for Karnataka as it is looking to regain the No.1 spot among the tiger states in the country. In the 2018 census, Madhya Pradesh won the coveted ‘tiger state’ tag with 526 tigers while Karnataka recorded two less, 524.
Unlike the previous census which began simultaneously in all reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, this time, it has been divided and left to each division to decide their date of commencement. The census is expected to be completed by February 8. Apart from tigers, data on other animals like elephants, Indian gaurs, deer will also be collected and compiled.
Amid the absence of volunteers, forest department officials are taking up this exercise in two phases.
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