Tiger census: MP govt orders fresh count in Kanha

Unhappy with the latest census that robbed Madhya Pradesh of its tiger state status,the state has decided to carry out a fresh sign survey in Kanha tiger reserve that has lost several wild cats over the past four years.

The states request to re-check the data with the Wildlife Institute of India was rejected,prompting it to announce a fresh count from April 25 to 27.

The 2006 census had put the count at 89,which now stands at 60,a figure the state disputes.

PCCF (Wildlife) H S Pabla said his department will collect data such as scrape and scat marks and other indirect evidence like killing of preys.

For this purpose,camera traps have already been set up in the reserve,Pabla added.