Scientific wildlife census begins in Binsar Sanctuary

Bageshwar: The forest department has begun preparations for a scientific wildlife census in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary to assess the population and movement of key species, including tigers, leopards, bears, deer and foxes, officials said.

Known for its dense oak and deodar forests, rich biodiversity and sweeping Himalayan views, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is among Kumaon’s most prominent protected forest areas and a major tourist attraction.

Officials said the sanctuary, spread across 47.59 sq km in the Kumaon region, has been divided into 50 grids for the exercise. More than 100 camera traps will be installed across different forest zones to capture wildlife activity and behavioural patterns.

Forest officials said the camera-trap survey would help generate precise data on the number of animals inhabiting the sanctuary, their movement corridors and habitat use. The exercise would also help identify the presence and population of foxes in the region, which officials said remain largely undocumented.

A six-member departmental team, assisted by senior wildlife experts, has been tasked with carrying out the survey and analysing the data collected through the cameras.

DFO civil Soyam Almora Pradeep Dhaulakhandi said, “The census would strengthen wildlife conservation and management efforts in the sanctuary while also helping authorities better understand the local ecosystem.”

He added, “Preparations for the wildlife census are underway. The exercise will provide accurate information about the wildlife population present in the sanctuary.”

Environmentalist Ishwar Joshi said, “The wildlife census would play an important role in strengthening conservation efforts in the Binsar landscape and help protect fragile Himalayan biodiversity.”