Post News Network
Dhenkanal, Nov 30: Trap cameras will be soon installed in Kapilas elephant sanctuary in this district to track the movement of the pachyderms and other wild animals and prevent their straying into human habitations.
According to reports, the state forest department has provided 10 cameras at a cost of Rs 2 lakh to the district forest wing. Apart from tracking the movement of animals, the cameras will also help the authorities keep a tight vigil on poachers.
Installation of the trap cameras has become a necessity as the sanctuary lies close to Narsinghpur reserve forest in Cuttack district and Satkosia reserve forest in Angul district, Dhenkanal divisional forest officer (DFO) Pradipta Kumar Sahu said.
The photographs clicked by the cameras will be collected by forest officials every morning and will be verified later to ascertain the behavioral traits of the wild animals.
According to reports, spread over 12569.59 hectare of land, Kapilas reserve forest received the status of an elephant sanctuary April 2, 2011. The Centre and the state government have provided Rs 22 lakh to the forest department to upgrade the sanctuary.
Similar trap cameras will also be installed in Kandhra reserve forest under Hindol forest range in the district. PNN