Guwahati, Jan 31 (UNI): An exclusive leopard counting census has been initiated in Assam from Monday which will continue for next 24 weeks.
The counting has been started initially in leopard crowded region Amingaon by the North Kamrup Forest Division.
North Kamrup Forest Division has set up a one-week execution schedule for the census, which will include checking camera traps, a volunteer involvement plan, field survey, and target area selection.
The exercise will be conducted using the camera-trapping approach through 50 cameras installed in various forest areas. The camera trapping will take place over the course of 24 weeks, with footage from each camera being taken every seven days, said Sunnydeo Choudhary, Divisional Forest Officer.
During the week-long programme, forest division officials will meet with a variety of stakeholders, including district administration, village, police, media, and education institution heads to discuss various aspects of the camera trapping mission in depth.
The camera trapping will begin on February 7. Assam Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya tweeted, “The 24-week camera trapping census will be the first of its kind in Assam! Sustainable development remains our commitment with priority to wildlife conservation too.”
He further said that the Kamrup district administration will also be involved in the census and the forest department has targeted to cover 100 sqkm under North Kamrup Forest Division. The forest official further said that the camera trapping will start from February 7 after the layout of the detailed plan.
