Data collection for tiger census set to begin

The department will submit its findings to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun,which will then begin the exercise to estimate tiger population in the state.

“We will start collecting the data by first week of March. The WII will then analyse the data and draw out a map based on its findings. After the identification of the possible tiger areas,the population estimation exercise will begin,” said B K Patnaik,Principal Chief Conservator of Forest,Uttar Pradesh.

As part of the data collection exercise,the department will collect data related to the presence of tigers in possible areas,carnivore signs and its presence,encounter rate of herbivores,status of vegetation and human disturbance.

“To ensure that there are no mistakes,we will first hold a mock exercise on data collection across the state by next week,” said Patnaik.