A total of 492 wild animals and birds were recorded during a wildlife census conducted across 39 platforms in the Yawal Regional Forest Division on the night of May 12, coinciding with Buddha Purnima.
The exercise saw active participation from more than 150 nature enthusiasts, including forest department staff, wildlife researchers, professors and college students, Divisional Forest Officer Jamir Sheikh informed The Free Press Journal on Tuesday.
The Yawal Regional Forest Division, which spans 63,000 hectares in the Satpura range, is home to a variety of rare flora and fauna. To mark Buddha Purnima, the forest department invited environment and wildlife lovers to assist in the night-long census, which received an enthusiastic response.
More than 27 species of animals and birds were recorded during the exercise. These included bear, fox, wolf, wild boar, heyna, peacock, chinkara, antelope, blackbuck, rabbit, Bengal cow, bulbul, robin, kingfisher, and python. Observers also recorded their field feedback during the process.
Significantly, a leopard was sighted in the Raver forest range under the Yawal division. “Last year, a tiger was spotted in the area, and traces of its presence were confirmed. This year, we recorded a leopard sighting,” Sheikh added.
The forests of the Yawal Division, known for their dense vegetation and biodiversity, continue to attract tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. The lush surroundings and the presence of diverse species make it a key ecological zone in the region.
The census was planned by Sheikh and carried out under the guidance of Assistant Conservators of Forests Prathamesh Hadpe and Samadhan Patil.
