Nagpur: Pench Tiger Reserve recorded 65 crocodiles through direct sightings during its third annual crocodile survey, conducted from February 16 to 18, officials said. The 3-day census was carried out across water bodies within Pench Tiger Reserve using the Epicollect application for data collection. Apart from the 65 direct sightings, survey teams documented 120 indirect signs indicating crocodile presence.
The survey was conducted under the guidance of Akshay Gajbhiye, field director, Pench Tiger Reserve (Nagpur). A total of 17 volunteers from across the country participated in the exercise. Sandip Bharti, assistant conservator of Forests, and Pooja Limbgaonkar led the survey operations. The exercise was supported by Vivek Rajurkar, range forest officer; Jayesh Tayde, range forest officer; Pravin Lele, range forest officer (Nagalwadi); Nitin Jadhav, range forest officer (West Pench); Shrikant Dhobale, wildlife biologist, Pench Tiger Reserve; along with field staff of the reserve. Officials said Shrikant Dhobale played a key role in planning, coordination and execution of the survey. After completion of the census, participating volunteers and staff were felicitated with certificates by the Field Director, who also interacted with them and provided guidance for future conservation efforts. The data generated through the survey will be used for crocodile conservation planning, habitat protection and long-term biodiversity management in the Pench landscape, officials said.
