All set for conduct of the all-India tiger estimation
andhrapradesh | Written by : Suryaa Desk
Atmakuru: The stage is set for conduct of the all-India tiger estimation from Monday in the tiger reserve of the Nallamala forest division. In all, 500 personnel are ready to conduct the tiger census in the forests spread across Kurnool, Prakasam and Guntur districts.
The enumeration will take place under the watchful eyes of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) Field Director Saravanan and Atmakur Divisional Forest Officer Selvam. The exercise will be conducted for over eight days.
The census is a once in a four-year affair. It will be held in four phases under the National Tiger Consortium Authority. It will be held in Atmakuru, Byrlooti, Nandyal division and Markapuram with priority to enumerate the number of tigers.
Habitats of tigers, area of tiger prowling, water holes in forest areas, hunting places, pug marks, camera traps and other tell-tale evidences are used to conduct the enumeration.
Divisional forest officer opines that the number of tigers is likely to increase from 45 to 65 this time. According to Sarvanan, of the 6,339 square kilometre area of the NSTR region, tigers are confined only to 3,727 square km area. Because of the natural habitats in the core area in Kurnool, the number of cubs is likely to increase.