Wildlife sign, camera trap survey started in Rajasthan's Jhalana Forest to monitor and track animal movements

ANI May 12, 2025 251 views

The Rajasthan Forest Department has launched a wildlife survey in Jhalana Forest using sign tracking and camera traps. Officials aim to gather data on animal movements before the official June enumeration. Teams are documenting pugmarks and droppings while setting up cameras for 25 days. The department is also ensuring water holes remain filled to support wildlife during the dry season.

"Currently, we are conducting two types of surveys, one sign survey and one camera trap survey." – Jitendra Singh Shekhawat
Jaipur, May 12: The Rajasthan Forest Department has initiated a comprehensive wildlife survey in the Jhalana forest area to monitor and track animal movements.

Key Points

1

Teams record pugmarks and droppings in sign surveys

2

Camera traps installed for 25 days to estimate populations

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17 water holes monitored to support wildlife in summer

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Survey precedes official June wildlife enumeration

The survey, which began today, aims to collect crucial data on wildlife presence and behavior ahead of the official enumeration exercise scheduled for June.

Speaking to ANI, Jitendra Singh Shekhawat, the Regional Forest Officer said, "Due to rain this year, wildlife enumeration is not being done. It will be in June. Currently, we are conducting two types of surveys, one sign survey and one camera trap survey."

For wildlife sign survey, teams are patrolling designated grids, recording animal signs such as pugmarks, scratches, and droppings. Meanwhile, Camera traps will be installed for 25 days to capture images and videos of wildlife, helping estimate population sizes.

"Besides the natural trials, we have on the safari track. People are doing that by forming different teams. The team is given a different area. They travel around the grid, move around the area, whatever sign is there...whether it is pigmarks, scratches, any signage is found...and gets the prescribed performance," he explained.

"There is a camera trap survey after the sign survey. The camera trap is the process after the sign survey, in which we determine the camera trap for twenty-five days. We will put it in place and we will make an assessment with it," said Shekhawat.

The survey began in the Amagarh forest from May 10 to 13, while the survey is currently underway in the Jhalana forest and will continue until May 15.

Further, forest officials are prioritising water hole monitoring, ensuring they are filled with water to support wildlife during the dry season. There are 17 water holes in the Jhalana forest, which are regularly monitored to support the local wildlife.

"In the summer, because wildlife needs more water, our focus is more on the water hole. If you see, like in Jhalana, we have seventeen water holes, so there is regular monitoring. Our water hole should be filled with water," he added.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is excellent work by Rajasthan Forest Department! Jhalana is such a precious ecosystem with its leopards and other wildlife. The camera trap method is very scientific - hope we get some amazing footage like last year's leopard cubs playing near waterholes 🐾
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Priya M.
Good initiative but I hope they're also addressing the human-wildlife conflict in surrounding areas. Many farmers near Jhalana face crop damage from animals. Conservation must include local communities' concerns too.
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Amit S.
As someone who frequently visits Jhalana for safaris, I've noticed the water management is excellent. The forest staff works very hard - kudos to them! Last month I saw a leopard drinking at one of these maintained waterholes. Magical sight! ✨
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Sunita R.
Why only 25 days for camera traps? In Karnataka's Nagarhole, they keep cameras for months to get proper data. Rajasthan should also consider longer duration studies for more accurate population estimates.
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Vikram J.
The sign survey method sounds very traditional but effective. Our forest guards have generations of tracking knowledge - combining this with modern tech like camera traps is the perfect mix of old and new. More power to our wildlife warriors! 💪
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Neha T.
Hope they share the findings publicly! As citizens we should know about our wildlife populations and conservation efforts. Maybe create an app with real-time updates from these surveys? Technology can help create more awareness.

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Tags:
Rajasthan wildlife survey Jhalana Forest camera trap animal tracking Forest Department