E-Paper
Pune division’s wildlife census to be held on May 18-19
The census will start at 12 noon on May 18 and will end at 12 midnight on May 19.
The Pune division of the forest department will carry out the census of the wildlife at all forests in the region on May 18 and 19. As per the forest officials, this is an annual affair.
RK Wankhede, conservator of forests (wildlife) of the Pune division, said, “Each animal visits the waterholes at least once in 24 hours. Keeping this in mind, all 175 waterholes in the wildlife area under Pune division will be covered by at least two persons in two different shifts. Wildlife lovers can also participate in this to help forest officials.”
The census will start at 12 noon on May 18 and will end at 12 midnight on May 19. To ensure participation from the wildlife lovers, enthusiasts and volunteers, the forest department has already spread messages through banners and through social media.
At Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, 50 officials of forest department and 40 volunteers will be participating in the census. At Nanaj Sanctuary, 38 forest officials and four volunteers will take part in the census. Likewise, at Rehekuri Sanctuary, 15 forest staff and six volunteers, while at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, 26 volunteers and 18 forest staff will take part in this annual wildlife census. The volunteer number is expected to increase.
Wankhede said, “Forest officers, representatives from NGOs, wildlife lovers and volunteers will be divided into different groups. The group will be stationed near water-holes and will work in two shifts.”
Last year’s census
Chinkara - 300
Barking Dear - 21
Blackbuck - 949
Wolf - 35
Fox - 15
Hyna - 10
Wild Pig - 300
