Tiger Census Begins at Similipal National Park; Officials Hopeful of Significant Increase in Numbers

Baripada: The Odisha Forest Department has commenced the Tiger Census in the Silimipal National Park from today. The census will be carried out in three phases. Officials are very much hopeful that the number of big cats in the Similipal National Forest will see a significant increase in the numbers.

The census will be carried out in all the 16 ranges of Similipal Tiger Reserve and Baripada, Rairangpur and Karanjia forest divisions. According to the Forest Department sources, the survey and census is based on line transect and sign survey which will be held till October 31. Also, camera trapping will start from 1st November and will continue for 75 days. While the Forest Department has installed about 1,000 cameras, another 600 cameras will also be used for this purpose.

The Census team includes about 500 Forest Department personnel and officers of Baripada and Rairangpur, including 173 beats in 16 ranges of Similipal Tiger Conservation Project and Karanjia forest region.