Herbivore and Carnivore Sign Survey Conducted in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary: Check Details

Sambalpur: Carnivore and herbivore census 2023 (sign survey) was conducted in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary from May 29 to June 3 by Hirakud Wildlife Division.
The carnivore sign survey was conducted in the first three days and herbivore sign survey was done in the last three days.

Herbivore or prey density of Debrigarh is 46. Chital/Spotted Deer population density is found to be highest – 90 per Sq.km. others highest density species being Wildboar, Gaur or Bison, Sambar & Chowsingha.

More than 1099 carnivore signs were recorded in the sanctuary with Bear and Leopard in highest numbers. Leopard numbers is counted to be approximately 82. Presence of one tiger is confirmed since last 7-8 months. This is first time in last so many decades that a tiger is recorded in Debrigarh during Census, as per sources.

Tiger Monitoring: 12 teams are monitoring Tiger 24/7 with 3 operational control rooms. Mobile numbers of all control rooms have been displayed in all villages adjoining Sanctuary. On priority basis regular meetings, informer networking etc are being carried out in 48 villages (Debrigarh 48) situated on Debrigarh boundary. SHG groups and EDC groups are sensitized for tiger conservation and number of fire points could be controlled by cooperation and support of villagers. Mobile patrolling vehicles are covering the periphery of Sanctuary daily from evening 4pm to next day morning 6am with sufficient squads and team leaders. Rs. 1000 is given to informer on each information regarding traps/snares or illegal hooking or poaching incidence. Twice entry of poachers could be controlled and recently 3 poachers with countrymade guns have been arrested by night patrolling squads.

Peoples participation in wildlife conservation, protecting the interest of forest dependent communities surrounding Debrigarh, active informer networking, strict action and discipline among the frontline forest officials has helped increase in prey density. Both awareness and enforcement should go together for protection of wildlife. After relocation of 400 families of 4 villages from Debrigarh Sanctuary more space of around 500 Ha has been created for wild animals inside Sanctuary which has minimized wildlife depredation and reduced man animal conflict also parallelly could provide better life to the 400 families who are now rehabilitated outside Sanctuary with all basic facilities of roads/electricity/education/health/communication etc.