The officials of the Anaimalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Pollachi are embarking on elaborate arrangements for the conduct of the Tiger as well as Wildlife Census from February 20 to 25.
According to the Field Director of ATR H. Basuvaraju, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden had issued directions for the conduct of the census as part of an All India initiative.
In addition to the services of Forest officials, wildlife biologists, scientists, nature lovers, volunteers from Non-Governmental Organisations are being roped in for the conduct of the census.
The census would be based on the line transect method from February 20 to 23 covering the 958 sq km ATR area spread over six ranges.
On February 24, it would be water hole count for enumerating the numbers of pachyderms and on February 25 it would be again focusing on elephants under the block count method.
Utilising the manpower and efforts being put in, the census would focus on other wildlife as well.
Volunteers and officials to be involved in census would go through a briefing session on February 19 at the ATR.
It would help not only in identifying the population of wildlife but also to assess the habitat conditions and plan interventional strategies and habitat management plans for the future, the officials said.
