Jharkhand's Wildlife Census Begins: A Scientific Approach to Counting India's Wild
Image Source: Internet
A comprehensive wildlife census has kicked off in Jharkhand, India, utilizing a cutting-edge mobile application for data collection. The four-yearly census, conducted in 31 territorial forest areas and five protected forest reserves, including the Palamu Tiger Reserve and Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, aims to provide accurate information on the presence of wildlife in the region. The census, guided by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India, involves a multi-faceted approach, including field data collection, camera traps, and an ecological app. PTR deputy director Kumar Ashish noted that the census will also utilize a manual counting system, which involves collecting animal droppings, tracking footprints, and scratch marks. According to the 2022 census, there are 3,167 tigers in India, accounting for 70% of the world's total tiger population. This year's census is expected to yield higher numbers. Approximately 1,600 forest personnel have been deployed for the exercise, with volunteers also engaged to support the operation. The app-based census will continue till December 22, after which wildlife counting in both protected and non-protected forest divisions will be conducted with human assistance, expected to conclude by April 2026.
