Tiger census begins in Kaziranga National Park

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has sanctioned Rs 20 lakh to conduct the census in the Park which is being conducted in Kohora, Bagori, Agoratoli and Burhapahar ranges, Park Director Surajit Dutta said today.

Camera trapping method will be used to conduct the census. Over 100 cameras have already been installed and, if required, more cameras would be installed, he said.

A wildlife research official of the forest department will supervise the operation in all the forest ranges while two biodiversity conservation societies along with a group of wildlife researchers would complete the project within the stipulated time, Dutta added.

According to the national tiger census of 2010, the North East, covering the hilly states, Brahmaputra floodplains and the northern part of West Bengal, are home to an estimated 148 tigers with the upper and lower limits hovering between 178 and 118 respectively.

Of this, Assam is home to 143 tigers and Mizoram has 5. Arunachal Pradesh was not included in the census operation.