RANJHA, Feb 9: As many as 16 cameras installed in the Banke and Bardiya National Parks for a tiger census have reportedly been stolen. Similarly, six have been damaged by elephants, according to the National Trust for Nature Conservation, Bardiya, chief Dr Rabin Kadariya. This has affected the census. Nine cameras were stolen from Block ‘1’ followed by four each from Block ’2’ and ‘3’. The cost of cameras is Rs 40,000 each. 

The first and second blocks entirely stretch through the Bardiya National Park while the third block covers parts of both national parks and the fourth block totally lies in the Banke National Park. Tentatively, a camera is put for around 15 months at certain locations to track the possible movement of wild animals. 

As Dr Kadariya believes, those visiting the park areas to collect fodder, and poachers might have taken away the census gadgets. 

So far, the census has been over in the first and second blocks and it is underway in the third and fourth blocks, said Banke National Park Chief Conservation Officer Shyam Kumar Shah.  

The census-based on the camera trapping method began some two months ago (December 15, 2021). “While assessing the recorded movements of tigers, we expect a rise in their population this time,” Shah added. 

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