The Baleswar Forest Division has undertaken a week-long exercise from Saturday for the census of leopards and other wild animals in the forests of Kuldiha, Nilgiri, Oupada, Khaira and Raibania under the district.
last census conducted in 2010 had shown that there were 12 leopards living in these forests. “Except elephants, all the carnivorous and herbivorous animals, including deer, sambar, bear and gaur, would be counted,” said DFO HB Udgata. A total of 49 teams, each comprising three members, have been formed for the purpose. The enumeration would be conducted by using pug impression pad and PIP method. About 150 PIPs have been prepared for different ranges.
The team members, including forest officers, guards and Sabooja Bahini associates, were given training by experts in Tinikosia forest in Nilgiri area before the beginning of the census. “The PIPs have been prepared for different ranges as per the requirement. About 78 PIPs would be used to track the animals in the Kuldiha sanctuary,” Kuldiha Range Officer Rabindra Mohapatra said.