International Tiger Day observed

Udhagamandalam: The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris, which boasts of 103 tigers, observed the International Tiger Day on Wednesday.
A banyan sapling was planted at the Theppekadu elephant camp in MTR to mark the day. Fifty forest staff attached to MTR attended the event and also participated in a quiz programme on wildlife.
The tiger population had increased by 10% between 2014 and 2018, MTR field director K K Kaushal said. “Buffer zone extending to 365 sqkm was declared in 2014 but came under the control of MTR only in 2018. Hence, tiger count comparison could not be done with regard to the whole of MTR.”
Prizes were distributed to the winners in weapon training. The events motivated the foresters, deputy director of MTR core area Shenbagapriya said.
The tiger reserve had completed pre-monsoon animal census a few weeks ago. Three tigers and cubs besides carnivores such as leopards were sighted during the census, Shenbagapriya added.