13 leopards spotted in Sila Reserve Forest

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: In a first of its kind in India, the North Kamrup Forest Division conducted a leopard census in the Sila Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati. The census, a pilot project, trapped 13 leopards in their cameras in the reserve forest and its nearby non-forest areas.

The census also spotted eight to nine other wild animals, including hog deer and barking deer.

The Forest Division is now preparing an action plan for wildlife management in the reserve forest.

Talking to The Sentinel, North Kamrup DFO Dr Sunnydeo Indradeo Choudhury said, "Though we have spotted 13 leopards in the Sila Reserve Forest, we surmise that around 30-35 leopards are there. We did propose to install 50 cameras, but due to difficult terrains, we could install 26 cameras. We are preparing an action plan for wildlife management in the wildlife in the reserve forest."

Biologist Kamal Azad and Kamrup DC Kailash Karthik N extended active support to the forest division to conduct the leopard census. Some students of Gauhati University and North Kamrup College also worked as volunteers during the census.

The State Forest Department has planned to conduct a census of leopards in Guwahati through camera trapping.

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