NewKerala.com

Sundarbans Tiger Census Begins: 1,400 Cameras Deployed for Scientific Count

The tiger census has officially started in the Sundarbans mangrove forest with forest department officials installing more than 1,400 cameras. These all-weather night-vision cameras are being strategically placed in canal-adjacent areas to capture tiger movements. The forest will remain closed to tourists on December 11 and 12 to facilitate uninterrupted data collection. This scientific survey will not only count tigers but also assess prey availability and habitat conditions.

Key Points: Sundarbans Tiger Census Starts with 1,400 Camera Installation

  • Over 1,400 cameras installed across 4,100 sq km for continuous tiger monitoring
  • Tourism completely suspended on December 11-12 during census operations
  • Data analysis in Dehradun will determine final tiger population figures
  • Survey tracks prey availability including deer and wild boar populations
2 min read

Sundarbans tiger census begins; more than 1,400 cameras to be installed for scientific count

Forest officials install 1,484 cameras across Sundarbans for month-long tiger census. Tourism suspended Dec 11-12 as scientific data collection begins.

"An attempt will be made to see whether there is enough food for tigers in the Sundarbans forests - Sundarbans Tiger Reserve Official"

Kolkata, Nov 27

The formal work for the tiger census commenced in West Bengal’s Sundarbans mangrove forest on Thursday as Forest Department officials began installing a network of more than 1, 400 trap cameras to capture images of the Royal Bengal Tigers.

The cameras will be strategically placed in various areas, particularly canal-adjacent spots, with an aim to collect precise scientific data on the big cat population, a senior forest department official said.

Photographs captured by these all-weather night-vision cameras will be sent to Dehradun for image analysis, a crucial step in deriving the final census figure in the Sundarbans.

The Sundarbans, West Bengal’s mangrove forest and home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, will remain closed to tourists on December 11 and 12 as the forest department undertakes its tiger census.

According to directives from the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR), all forms of tourism -- including boat rides, launches, and cruises -- will be suspended during these two days. Even online bookings will be temporarily halted as the department focuses on collecting precise scientific data on the tiger population.

The camera installation has already begun in several areas of the Sundarbans, including Matla, Raidighi, Ramganga, and Sajnekhali. A total of 1,484 cameras are being set up across the forests to continuously monitor tiger movements over an area of 4,100 square km.

The tiger census will run for over a month, tracking not only tiger movements but also the availability of their prey.

"An attempt will be made to see whether there is enough food for tigers in the Sundarbans forests," an official of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve said, adding the survey will also track the presence of herbivores such as deer, wild boar and other animals that the tigers hunt and eat.

Officials have developed a dedicated app to assist in analysing the data collected from the cameras.

A Sundarbans Tiger Reserve official stated that the effort will help assess whether the forests provide sufficient food for the tiger population.

The last tiger census in 2022, released in late 2024, recorded 101 tigers in the Sundarbans, up from 88 in 2018. Of these, 80 were in the core Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, while 21 were in the adjoining South 24 Parganas division.

Typically conducted once every four years, the Sundarbans tiger census is supplemented by smaller surveys and area-specific observations carried out annually.

sch/snj/skp

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see the increase from 88 to 101 tigers in the last census. But I'm concerned about whether the forest can support more tigers with adequate prey. The food availability study is much needed.
A
Arjun K
While I appreciate the scientific approach, I hope the forest department is also focusing on protecting the local communities living around Sundarbans. Human-tiger conflict is a real concern that needs equal attention.
S
Sarah B
The use of technology in wildlife conservation is impressive! Night-vision cameras and a dedicated app for data analysis - this is how modern conservation should work. Great job by the Forest Department! 👍
V
Vikram M
Temporary closure for tourism is a small price to pay for accurate tiger counting. Tourists can always visit later, but protecting our national animal is forever important. Jai Hind!
M
Michael C
The scale of this operation is massive - 1,484 cameras across 4,100 sq km! Hope the data collected helps in better conservation planning. The Royal Bengal Tiger is truly majestic and deserves all this effort.
A
Ananya R
I visited Sundarbans last year and it's breathtaking. Happy to see such systematic efforts to protect our wildlife heritage. Hope the census shows positive results! 🌿🐯

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50