DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 9 (MExN): Nagaland is gearing up to conduct its first ever tiger census as a part of theAll India Tiger Estimation (AITE), 2018 under the aegis of the Wildlife Wing, Department of Environment Forests & Climate Change. This was informed in a press note from the Suman W M Sivachar IFS, Wildlife Warden, Kiphire.
As a precursor to the upcoming tiger estimation in tiger habitat regions of the State, a training camp was conducted for the field staff at 10:30 AM at Forest Offices Complex, Dimapur. The training camp consisted of a class room briefing followed by a mock drill in estimating wildlife including tigers.
Speaking on the occasion, Satya Prakash Tripathi, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden stressed about the importance of Tigers as the top predator in forests. He explained about the presence of and movement of tigers in Nagaland forests earlier, which has now reduced.
Suman WM Sivachar, IFS, Wildlife Warden, Kiphire, who is also the AITE 2018 Nodal Officer for the State highlighted that the tiger status in the country has been undertaken earlier in three cycles with a gap of 4 years across the country, in the years – 2006, 2010 and 2014. Tiger population estimation is determined by a variety of factors that include finding out habitat characteristics, prey availability and anthropogenic (human) pressures.
Rajkumar M, IFS spoke about the importance of this census and how it will help conserve the forests of Nagaland.
He educated the staff regarding the various wildlife signs – pellets, visual sightings, animal calls and pug marks. He urged the field staff to collect the data with utmost care since this will showcase the treasures of Nagaland to the world.
The mock field drill was led by the Intanki National Park Range officers - Kenlum and Aaron, who took the staff to the field to demonstrate the activities that constitute the estimation. Jongpong Walling, Ranger, Singhpan Wildlife Sanctuary was also present. The event was attended by a total of 25 members. A similar exercise will be conducted very soon for the frontline staff of Singhphan Wildlife Sanctuary and Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary.
