Hyderabad sources have stated that for the first time after the formation of the Telangana state, the forest department is planning a Tiger census. Previously when the state was undivided the last such count was in 2014. According to the forest department officials, the census would be taken up for five days in the third or fourth week of January.
According to sources the human and wildlife conflict, climate change, poaching and illegal wildlife trade are among the major reasons that have pushed the feline into the endangered category facing risk of extinction in the wild over the years.
Moreover at the last count, there were 17 tigers in the Telangana state.
The tiger census is taken up in the country every four years and is coordinated
by the National Tiger Conservation Agency (NTCA). Further the Wildlife
Institute of India in Dehradun provides technical guidance. The counting
exercise also includes carnivorous animals and mega-herbivores.
