At least 55 volunteers have registered to participate in the annual wildlife survey to be held at sanctuaries in Pune district on the full moon night of Buddha Purnima on May 23.
According to a senior forest official, the census will be conducted at 86 locations across the sanctuary.
“The forest department will conduct a census of the ‘machan’ (high ground at the top of trees) from 3 pm to 10 am the next day. This year's census will be conducted in protected areas such as Bhimashankar, Mayureshwar Supe and Tamhini Ghat and grassland areas such as Saswad and Solapur. The census is conducted by forest officials, with volunteers stationed on footholds next to bodies of water or waterholes to observe animals wandering around to quench their thirst. The 86 water bodies include 22 natural and 64 artificial water bodies,” said Tushar Chavan, deputy conservator of forests (wildlife), Pune forest department.
If you are interested, please send your mobile number and basic information to wildlifepune@gmail.com.
