Bhubaneswar, Nov 16: While the Odisha government is all set for a precise carnivore census across the state’s forests, it began with tiger census from the Similipal buffer zone.

A troop of as many as 103 experienced forest officials are deployed in the Similipal Tiger Reserve on Saturday to assess the tiger population in the cluster.

Th census, that involves a multi-stage enumeration exercise, will be carried out with precision with the guidance of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Sophisticated devices including tap cameras with modern logistics will be utilized to ascertain realtime presence of the big cats in the controlled habitat.

According to the Similipal Wilflife Authorities, a two-Phase Enumeration that began today will focus on mapping tiger movements in Similipal identifying the pugmarks, scrape marks, scats and other signs.

Deputy Director, Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary (South) Samrat Gouda said the initial stage will help establish the carnivore density in the reserve.The database will be sent to the NTCA for research.

In the first round, the herbivore population will be assessed. The real tiger census will begin on December 1, to number the carnivore population, including tigers, leopards and other small cats in the sanctuary, he added.