Kokrajhar: On the occasion of Global Tiger Day, 2022, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro released the annual wildlife monitoring results of the Manas Tiger Reserve and launched the official website of the Manas Tiger Reserve which has been developed in collaboration with AMTRON at a programme held at BTC Secretariat in Kokrajhar on Friday.
BTC CEM also released results of population estimation of all other major species found in Manas, which has been done for the first time in a holistic manner by the frontline staff of Manas by distance sampling. Apart from providing basic information about the tiger reserve, the website will also serve as an online booking portal from the next tourist season. Manas Tiger Reserve Field Director Dr Vaibhav C. Mathur, BTC executive member for forest, Ranjit Basumatary, were also present during the programme.
In his address, Boro lauded the Manas Tiger Reserve authorities stating that there was still potential for tiger numbers to increase based on current prey availability and urged the Manas management to take appropriate steps in this regard. He stated that there was a need to enhance marketing and outreach of Manas in order for it to become a world class ecotourism destination.
Manas Tiger Reserve Field Director Dr Vaibhav C Mathur informed that as per the latest camera trapping assessment, as stipulated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the tiger reserve now has 52 adult tigers along with 8 cubs, which is an increase of 8 and 4 respectively over the last year. A total of 23 new tigers were reported in addition to 29 tigers reported last year. He said 381 camera trap stations were deployed by the Manas Tiger Reserve authorities with camera trap support from conservation partners, namely WWF-India, WTI and Aaranyak.
He said the data was collected on line transects on elephant back using an Android based digital platform by forest guards and Foresters deployed in different anti-poaching camps at Manas. The information collected was analyzed at the Field Directorate of Manas and validated by the NTCA Tiger Cell at Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. As per this analysis, which will form a baseline for all future assessments, there are 3,320 hog deer, 1,656 wild buffaloes, 1,174 Indian Bison (Gaur), 804 Sambar deer and 2,613 elephants.
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