Tiger census begins in Odisha’s Similipal National Park, 103 forest staff mobilised

The Similipal Tiger Reserve on Saturday launched its annual tiger census, beginning a multi-stage enumeration exercise in accordance with guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Forest authorities said the exercise will be conducted in two distinct phases, combining field surveys, mobile-based data collection and an extensive camera-trap grid across the sanctuary.

Two-Phase Enumeration Under Way

Sources reported that the first phase focuses on mapping tiger movement zones across southern Similipal and documenting indirect evidence such as pugmarks, scrape marks, scats and other signs. As part of this process, the forest personnel are laying transect lines across identified areas to standardise data collection.

Reports added that a total of 103 trained forest personnel have been deployed in 103 beat locations of southern Similipal, all of which fall within known tiger movement corridors. Teams have been instructed to collect field data using a mobile application linked to NTCA’s central database.

Deputy Director (South Similipal) Samrat Gouda said the initial stage will help establish the herbivore density of the reserve.

“A transect survey will be done first. Under it, the herbivore population will be counted, including deer and sambhars. The data is collected using a mobile application and sent to the NTCA, which will analyse it and share the results with us,” he said.

Carnivore Census To Follow In December

The second phase of the census will begin on December 1, during which the carnivore population, including tigers, leopards and small cats, will be assessed. This stage will rely primarily on camera-trap evidence.

Sources added that around 1,500 camera traps will be installed across various zones inside the reserve to record tiger movement patterns, territorial activity and individual identification marks. The grid-based camera deployment is expected to continue for several weeks to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Gouda said the carnivore assessment will be conducted after herbivore figures are compiled. “Once the herbivore survey results are in, the carnivore count will begin. The number of tigers, leopards and small cats will then be documented,” he added.

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Gouda said preparations for the census, including staff briefing, equipment distribution and route planning, were completed earlier this week.

The exercise, undertaken every four years as part of the all-India tiger estimation framework, aims to produce updated figures on the predator and prey population across the reserve’s core and buffer zones.