Our Correspondent
Imphal, Feb. 3 (EMN): In a move to bring Manipur on the “tiger map” of India, the first-ever census for tigers will be conducted in the state as part of the All India Tiger Estimation drive which is organised every four years across the country.
The first of its kind exercise will also cover collection of evidence about the presence of other big carnivores and herbivores, sources from the state’s Forest department said. It is a known fact that the tiger is the apex on the food chain in a forest eco-system. Therfore, its presence likely indicate good health of a habitat or availability of habitat for various co-predators and herbivores.
If the presence of tigers is noticed, it will be a great achievement for the state toward developing ‘tiger tourism’ in the state, stakeholders said. The department is optimistic that even if habitat is found, the department may go for introduction of tigers from other parts of the country as was done in various tiger reserves with the help of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) of the government of India.
There are areas that potentially have tigers in the state particularly in Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Senapati districts, the source said. Reports are being received regularly from villagers in stated areas regarding movement of tigers.
As part of the census campaign, a three-day training programme of Forest field staff was inaugurated under the aegis of the NTCA and the state’s Forest department in Imphal on Sat. Feb. 3.
The training programme will continue till Feb. 5 at Imphal and Tamenglong. Scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India will stay in Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Senapati districts till May 31 and work in coordination with local forest staff, it was informed.
