Ranthambore:
Its been an exciting adventure in the jungle for nature lovers who volunteered to be part of the animal census in the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan. More than 300 volunteers from all across the country took part in the census - an annual exercise where each and every animal in the park is counted.
With more than 300 watering holes in the park, the Ranthambore administration asked for volunteers to help with the census. In pairs of twos, volunteers were perched on top of machaans at all the water holes in the park. Their job: count every animal that visits the water hole to drink water. This data, collected from all the volunteers, will be tabulated to get an idea about the exact number of animals in the park. The volunteers were also accompanied by forest personnel at some important watering holes.
Provided with food packets, torches, medicines and water, the volunteers, once they were settled atop the trees, knew there was no coming down except for one toilet break before dark. They were also advised not to venture from their positions till morning. But it is an exciting way to see the forest for most, many of whom have come from as far as Kolkata, Delhi, Baroda and Indore.
"I have managed to climb on the tree and we are waiting for animals to come so we start our job," said Bhuvan, a volunteer.
Involving volunteers in the counting of the park's wildlife is an endeavour by the wildlife department in Rajasthan to bring about an element of transparency in the animal census process, but for most wildlife enthusiasts it was the opportunity of a lifetime. Usually the national park is closed to visitors at night, but by being part of the census process many could spend an entire night in the jungle. And while spending an entire night perched on top of a machaan that measures about six feet by four feet may not be everyone's cup of tea, nobody was complaining as this experience could never be offered by a travel guide.
"The purpose behind involving volunteers in the animal census process is two-fold. Firstly, the wildlife department does not have enough personnel to man the over 300 watering holes in the park and by bringing in NGOs and wildlife lovers, the message the department sends out is that the census process is an open and transparent one," said Daulat Singh, assistant conservator of forests.
Ranthambore has about 46 tigers, of which 22 are new cubs. However, the health of a wildlife reserve is judged not just by the number of big cats, but also by the numbers of smaller species like the cheetal - the tiger's favourite meal, and hence an animal critical for the tiger's survival. The animal census will help park officials arrive at an estimate of the number of animals like these, which gives experts an idea of the health of a national park.
With more than 300 watering holes in the park, the Ranthambore administration asked for volunteers to help with the census. In pairs of twos, volunteers were perched on top of machaans at all the water holes in the park. Their job: count every animal that visits the water hole to drink water. This data, collected from all the volunteers, will be tabulated to get an idea about the exact number of animals in the park. The volunteers were also accompanied by forest personnel at some important watering holes.
Provided with food packets, torches, medicines and water, the volunteers, once they were settled atop the trees, knew there was no coming down except for one toilet break before dark. They were also advised not to venture from their positions till morning. But it is an exciting way to see the forest for most, many of whom have come from as far as Kolkata, Delhi, Baroda and Indore.
"I have managed to climb on the tree and we are waiting for animals to come so we start our job," said Bhuvan, a volunteer.
Involving volunteers in the counting of the park's wildlife is an endeavour by the wildlife department in Rajasthan to bring about an element of transparency in the animal census process, but for most wildlife enthusiasts it was the opportunity of a lifetime. Usually the national park is closed to visitors at night, but by being part of the census process many could spend an entire night in the jungle. And while spending an entire night perched on top of a machaan that measures about six feet by four feet may not be everyone's cup of tea, nobody was complaining as this experience could never be offered by a travel guide.
"The purpose behind involving volunteers in the animal census process is two-fold. Firstly, the wildlife department does not have enough personnel to man the over 300 watering holes in the park and by bringing in NGOs and wildlife lovers, the message the department sends out is that the census process is an open and transparent one," said Daulat Singh, assistant conservator of forests.
Ranthambore has about 46 tigers, of which 22 are new cubs. However, the health of a wildlife reserve is judged not just by the number of big cats, but also by the numbers of smaller species like the cheetal - the tiger's favourite meal, and hence an animal critical for the tiger's survival. The animal census will help park officials arrive at an estimate of the number of animals like these, which gives experts an idea of the health of a national park.
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