PUNE: At least 423 wild animals were spotted during the annual waterhole (machan) census conducted by the Pune forest department across the district, highlighting the region’s rich biodiversity. The exercise, carried out on the occasion of ‘Buddha Purnima’, covered 12 forest ranges and involved overnight monitoring from multiple observation points.
The census was conducted from 4 pm on May 1 to 8 am on May 2, with forest staff stationed at 89 machans near key water sources. Officials noted a significant presence of hyenas during the night-long exercise, indicating active nocturnal wildlife movement in the region.
According to the forest department, important schedule 1 species such as wolves, chinkara, and hyenas were primarily sighted in the Daund and Indapur forest ranges. In Maval taluka, including Wadgaon, Shirota, and Paud forest areas, sambar deer and hyenas were sighted. A leopard sighting was reported at a waterhole in the Nasrapur-Velhe belt of Bhor taluka.
Areas on the outskirts of Pune city, including the Pune and Bhamburda forest ranges, also reported sightings of sambar, hyenas, wild boar, and Hanuman langurs.
The exercise, termed as a ‘Nature experience’ initiative by the department, was carried out by forest guards and staff, who conducted systematic observations throughout the night. Officials said that the data collected will help assess wildlife presence, movement patterns, and habitat conditions, aiding future conservation and management planning.
{{/usCountry}}The exercise, termed as a ‘Nature experience’ initiative by the department, was carried out by forest guards and staff, who conducted systematic observations throughout the night. Officials said that the data collected will help assess wildlife presence, movement patterns, and habitat conditions, aiding future conservation and management planning.
{{/usCountry}}Deputy conservator of forests Mahadev Mohite, under whose guidance the census was conducted, said, “The initiative goes beyond mere data collection and offers valuable insights into the natural behaviour of wildlife in their habitat”. He added that such exercises play a crucial role in shaping conservation strategies in the region.