HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, July 29: Along with the rest of the state, the Global Tiger Day was observed with a befitting programme scheduled in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) districts on Friday.
On the occasion of Global Tiger Day, Bodoland Territorial Region chief executive member Pramod Boro released the annual wildlife monitoring results of the Manas Tiger Reserve.
As per the latest camera trapping assessment stipulated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the tiger reserve now has 52 adult tigers along with 8 cubs, while 23 new tigers were reported. 27 tigers could be sexed properly with 8 males and 19 females giving a sex ratio of 1:2.4 which is positively skewed towards females from the ecological point of view. 381 camera trap stations were deployed by the Manas Tiger Reserve authorities with camera trap support from conservation partners namely WWF-india, WTl and Aaranyak.
Besides this, the CEM of BTR, Boro also released results of population estimation of all other major species found in Manas, which has been done for the first time in a holistic manner by the frontline staff of Manas by distance sampling. Data was collected on line transects on elephant back using an Android based digital platform by forest guards and foresters deployed in different anti-poaching camps at Manas.
The information collected was analysed at the Field Directorate of Manas and validated by the NTCA Tiger Cell at Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.
As per this analysis, which shall form a baseline for all future assessments, there are 3220 hog deer, 1656 wild buffaloes, 1174 Indian bison (Gaur), 804 sambar deer and 2613 elephants.
A total effort of 400 kms was put in for this exercise. This initiative of the frontline staff of Manas drew praise from the Wildlife Institute of India.
The CEM of BTR, Boro also took this opportunity to launch the official website of the Manas Tiger Reserve which has been developed in collaboration with AMTRON. Apart from providing basic information about the tiger reserve, the website shall also serve as an online booking portal from the next tourist season.
Lauding the efforts of the Manas Tiger Reserve authorities, Boro stated that there is still potential for tiger numbers to increase based on current prey availability and urged the Manas management to take appropriate steps in this regard. He states that there is a need to enhance marketing and outreach of Manas in order for it to become a world class ecotourism destination.
Boro said that the Manas National Park (MNP) of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) is rich in flora & fauna which has been regarded as one of the hotspots of the tourism sector.
Meanwhile, the Raimona National Park observed the Global Tiger Day at Kachugaon central range in Kokrajhar district.
BTR executive member for Forest Department, Ranjit Basumatary graced as chief guest on the occasion.
Members from the different NGO and societies that are working towards the upliftment and conservation of wildlife and forest participated in the event which was organised by Raimona National Park.
