Census: Hope for increase in tigers

FOR OTHERS it may be just another wildlife census but for the thousands of forest department personnel engaged in wildlife conservation and protection, it is the opportunity to prove that their hard work and toil over the years has been worthwhile.

FOR OTHERS it may be just another wildlife census but for the thousands of forest department personnel engaged in wildlife conservation and protection, it is the opportunity to prove that their hard work and toil over the years has been worthwhile.

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The Wildlife Census 2006, being conducted all over the country, and at present simultaneously in all national parks of MP, is arguably the most exhaustive and elaborate exercise undertaken to count wildlife population. The census of carnivorous animals, which started on January 16, concluded on January 18 and that of herbivores began this morning.

The census would conclude on January 21. For naturalists, conservators as well as common man, the spotlight during the census of carnivores was, undoubtedly, on the number of tigers, Bandhavgarh being a Project Tiger reserve. The preliminary reports suggest that, hopefully, there is no need to worry.