The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Elephant census to be conducted in May

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 04, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Elephant census to be conducted in May

By D. Radhakrishnan

UDHAGAMANDALAM, MARCH 3. A synchronised census of elephants will be conducted in south India between May 5 and 7.

The census, conducted by the State forest departments, will cover the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park near here, the Nilgiris North Forest Division, the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary at Top Slip, Hosur, Sathyamangalam, Erode, Krishnagiri, Wynaad in Kerala, Bandipur in Karnataka and Chitoor in Andhra Pradesh, Ashok Upreti, wildlife warden, the Nilgiris, told The Hindu.

It will be conducted in association with agencies such as the Indian Institute of Science and the Nilgiris Wildlife and Environment Association. The sample block count and indirect dung count methods will be adopted.

Replying to a query, Mr. Upreti said the last synchronised census of elephants was conducted in May 2002. It was found then that at Mudumalai alone there were 800 elephants.

Dry conditions

The Mudumalai sanctuary and the Mukurthi National Park will be closed from today up to April 15, due to dry conditions, Mr. Upreti said. Bush fires in some parts of the sanctuary such as Koil Pallam, Theppakadu and Mavanhallah had affected the undergrowth, grass and teak leaves in about 100 acres. Sixty fire watchers were maintaining round-the-clock vigil. As regards drinking water for the wild animals, Mr. Upreti said there was adequate water in the Game Hut and Ombetta reservoirs.

Since animals are now freely moving along the roads cutting through the sanctuary, speed restrictions have been imposed on vehicles. The Highways Department has been asked to construct speed breakers. Notice boards to educate the people about what should be done and what should not be done inside the sanctuary are in the process of being put up between Masinagudy and Kakkanullah, he added.

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