MACHANS OVERBOOKED

Nisarga Anubhav | New terminology for machan census. Aims to know animal density in forests by sitting on mounted steel towers or wooden planks located at water bodies
Participants | Students above 15 years, NGOs, mediamen, researchers, retired employees, nature lovers
When | Though there are 12 full moon days (pournimas) in a year, it is held on ‘Buddha Pournima’
Where | Barring core areas of Tadoba and Pench, in all tiger reserves and sanctuaries
Timing | 1 pm on May 16 (Monday) till 8am of May 17 (Tuesday)
Is this official | Methodology has no recognition from NTCA, it is held to create awareness about forest and wildlife. It has become a commercial venture for the forest department with Pench charging Rs 2,000, Tadoba (buffer) Rs 4,500, NNTR Rs 1,500 & Melghat Rs 750 per participant
Paisa vasool | Pench is offering T-shirt, souvenir, food, snacks and drinking water. Tadoba has clubbed the exercise with its routine tourism package of guide fee and vehicle charge. Melghat is also offering food and snacks
Sleepless night | Sit quietly without disturbing animals, observe them and not down their numbers
Machan numbers | Melghat — 466; Pench — 30; NNTR — 90; Bor, New Bor, Umred Karhandla — 48; Tadoba buffer — 33. 10-20% reserved for NGOs and media persons
Response | Barring a few in New Bor, almost all the machans were booked on the first three days
Text: Vijay Pinjarkar