Tiger census began in Rajaji National Park (RNP) tiger reserve on Saturday. In lieu of the same, the park has been closed for the tourists till January 19 in the morning hours. The tourists can only visit during the day time while the Park remains closed from 8 to 10 am say the Park authorities. In the latest count the number of the big cats had risen which gave the Park the status of a Tiger Reserve last year. Every three years the census is done and the last census of 2013 had reported to 11 in number.
Speaking to The Pioneer, Park Ranger Chilla range D P Uniyal said, “We have made the announcement to the tourists about the timings of the Park during the census activity. It is open from 2 to 4 pm for the safari till Tuesday. The camera traps installed throughout the park at various posts are being monitored for the tiger movements. The eastern part of the park witnessed a sizeable number of tigers while the western side still recorded low number of tigers in the past census.”
The tiger is a shy animal by nature. Wherever it feels safe and less of human encroachment, it makes its habitat. The efforts of the wild life scientists in preserving the corridors of the wild animals have borne fruits and it is expected that this year’s census would evidence rise in the number of tourists. The ongoing work of restoration of corridor between Ganga and Yamuna rivers will go a long way in conservation of the endangered species.
The expanding township of Haridwar has been a major factor in the population of the tigers. Dehradun based Wildlife scientist Bipash Pandav told the Pioneer, “The steps undertaken by the Park authorities to relocate the people from Khand Gaon have been praiseworthy. Most of the families have been shifted. Some Gujjar families still remain in Chilla park range which must be relocated fast to make the Park completely human free.”