The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) near here is gearing up for the synchronised tiger census. Considered to be one of the best tiger habitats in the country, MTR is now home to more than half of the State’s tiger population. The high density has been attributed to effective conservation measures.
Official sources on Friday said that elaborate arrangements were being made for the census. Pointing out that the MTR would remain closed for 10 days from December 15 to felicitate the smooth conduct of the census between December 16 and 23, they said that a training for forest officials including District Forest Officers would be conducted from November 18 to 21 at the MTR. As many as 40 persons from each division of The Nilgiris would participate. Apart from the officials, volunteers from the Forest College and Forest Academy would take part in the census.
During the census, a study of the prey base would also be carried out. Visitors would not be allowed inside the MTR and the buffer areas. All the effective methods would be adopted to arrive at an accurate figure.
