PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Dec 9: The animal count at Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary was extended for another two days till December 10.
The exercise which began on December 1 was supposed to end on December 8.
But, forest officials said the counting process was affected for a couple of days due to the recent cyclone Jawad, which resulted in the rain in most parts of the state.
Foresters and village youths have been involved in the job. The animal census is based on field surveys and actual sightings near watering holes.
Foresters and trackers (village youths recruited as daily wagers to keep a tab on animals) have ventured into the 192 sq km elephant abode, 30 km from Jamshedpur, to set up machans near the watering holes.
Machans have been set up and those on duty are equipped with cameras, mobile phones, GPS and binoculars.
Watchtowers and hideouts are also used for the census.
Foresters seem confident of an increase in the number of elephants. But, they ruled out finding any pugmark of tigers in the sprawling sanctuary.
Forest officials were optimistic about an increase in the number of barking deer, boar, squirrel, and rabbits. They said the census work got affected for two days as they could not venture into the sanctuary because of the rain caused by cyclone Jawad.
“Movement within the sanctuary becomes difficult when it rains. The census was therefore extended till December 10, ” said an official.
