The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra is preparing to conduct its much-anticipated annual wildlife counting activity, ‘Nisarga Anubhav’—popularly known as the waterhole census—on May 12, coinciding with Buddha Poornima.
The census will take place under the full moon, offering optimal visibility for volunteers stationed at various watchpoints, or machans, across the Nagalwadi forest range. A total of 24 machans have been strategically erected near water bodies, where wildlife sightings are expected to be the highest.
The Maharashtra Forest Department organizes this event each year to monitor the population of wild animals visiting waterholes. The activity not only provides crucial data for conservation efforts but also invites public participation. This year, the PTR administration received over 100 applications from wildlife enthusiasts, of which only 25 were shortlisted due to limited space.
“The event continues to draw great interest every year, and as expected, we received an overwhelming number of applications,” said Pravin Lele, Range Forest Officer (RFO) of Nagalwadi, while speaking to The Hitavada.
Participants will assemble at the Nagalwadi gate by 3 PM on May 12 and will be transported by forest department vehicles to their assigned machans. They will remain stationed there through the night, quietly observing and recording animal movements until dawn.
In addition to manual counting by volunteers, camera traps have also been installed near water sources to supplement data collection.
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