Wildlife Thrives: Rich Discoveries at Pench and UPK's Machan Census

The recent 'machan census' at Pench Tiger Reserve and UPK Sanctuary uncovered a rich diversity of wildlife. This extensive survey recorded 2,764 wildlife sightings, emphasizing a strong herbivore population vital for predators. The effort highlighted community involvement and scientific observation in forest conservation.

A recent 'machan census' conducted at the Pench Tiger Reserve and Umred Paoni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary has revealed a robust wildlife presence, according to officials. The survey, involving 76 machans and 120 volunteers, was held on May 1st, coinciding with Buddha Purnima.

The initiative aimed to assess the presence of herbivores and the overall health of the forest ecosystem, as articulated by the deputy director of Pench Tiger Reserve Maharashtra. Volunteers in buffer ranges and trained staff in core ranges ensured precise and reliable data collection, cataloging 2,764 sightings.

Herbivores dominated observations, suggesting a strong prey base for carnivores amid notable records of omnivores and primates. Additionally, significant bird species were observed, and carnivorous sightings highlighted a stable predator population across both reserves.