Tiger census begins in Odisha’s Koraput as part of nationwide 4-yearly drive

Tiger census commenced on Thursday in the Koraput forest division, with trap cameras being installed across dense forest areas to monitor and record tiger movement. The exercise is being carried out as part of the nationwide four-yearly tiger estimation process.

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According to forest officials, the census is being conducted across six forest ranges, divided into 76 units. A total of 160 forest personnel have been deployed to ensure the smooth execution of the operation. Trap cameras have been strategically placed in wildlife corridors and sensitive zones to capture photographic evidence of tigers and other wildlife.

Tiger population estimation is conducted once every four years to assess the conservation outcomes and track changes in wildlife numbers. The last tiger census in the Koraput forest division was carried out in January 2022.

Officials said the data collected during the current exercise will help in understanding tiger presence, habitat usage, and conservation needs in the region.

“There are as many as 76 Beats under the Koraput forest division. Hence, 76 units have been formed. As per our scheduled programme, two personnel from each team will travel a distance of five kilometres for three days,” Koraput DFO, KV Bhaskar Rao, said.

“Then, the teams will go on a line transect for three days. Apart from this, trap cameras have been installed at strategic locations where the potential of tiger presence is there,” the DFO expressed to OTV when contacted.

Worth mentioning, Odisha’s Forest and Environment Department will begin a statewide bird census across key wetlands and forests from January 6, 2026, focusing on migratory species arriving at prime sites such as Chilika, Nalaban, Manglajodi, Hirakud, and Nandankanan, official sources informed on Wednesday.