Tiger census in Madhya Pradesh starts Wednesday

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The census was originally scheduled Jan 18-23. However, the task would now be undertaken Feb 10-16 and after the collection and compilation of data, a report would be submitted to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) by March 10.

"The tiger census, which was initially slated to start Jan 18, was postponed as the state was witnessing three-tier panchayat polls during the period," said Chief Conservator of Forest (Coordination) Shivendu Srivastava.

The project of wild animal census 2009-10 is being undertaken on the directive of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), New Delhi, Srivastava said, adding that the officials of the state "spearhead team" were trained for the purpose in Ranthambhore (Rajasthan) Oct 21-23 last year.

After the sudden disappearance of tigers from the Panna Tiger Reserve, the WII conducted an intensive tiger census at the reserve from November 2008 to June 2009. Initially only one tiger was traced and that too disappeared later.

Some other famous tiger reserves in the state include Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench national parks.