Wildlife experts conduct first tiger survey in Manipur

Our correspondent

Imphal, March 18 (EMN): In a move to verify the report of  tiger presence in Manipur particularly in the forest of Tamenglong and Senapati districts and as part of subsequent all Indian tiger population estimation exercise, the first ever tiger survey was conducted in forest of the north-eastern state since the past few days, Forest officials said.

The survey has begun at Chingkao, Bunning under Tamenglong district and Chakha area under Senapati district of the state with experts from Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Government of India under the aegis of Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Wildlife cum Chief Wildlife Warden, Manipur.

The team from Chingkao, Bunning and Chakha were led by Divisional Forest Officer Arun RS and the exercise was attended by Range Forest Officers S Khogen Singh of Tamei sub-division and Kh Hitler Singh of Tamenglong along with supporting staffs and local volunteers.

Reports said that several signs of Sambar and Serow hoof mark and droppings were found in plenty during the survey in Chakha area last week.

An awareness programme was also held under the theme of protection of Asian elephant and its habitats at the same village.

The survey covers a total area measuring around 600 sq km which were projected as potential area a senior state forest official said when contacted.

The survey team detected pugmarks of clouded leopard/leopard cat, scratch mark on tree, bark of Himalayan black bearmpelets of various ungulate species, hood marks of ungulates, sighting of hillock gibbon in Chakha and other areas, an official added

The survey is targeted to complete by March end..

It is a known fact that tiger is on the apex of the food chain in a forest eco-system; hence its presence would indicate the good health of the habitat and availability of habitat for various co-predators and herbivores.

If the presence of tigers is noticed, the department official said that it would be a great achievement for the state to develop tiger tourism.

The department may go for introduction of tigers from other parts of the country as done in various tiger reserves with the help of NTCA if the habitat is found, Government of India, it said.

Reports are being received regularly from the villagers of these areas regarding movement of tigers.