Camera traps

TT, Alipurduar, Feb. 17: The state forest department has decided to install camera traps in all the national parks and sanctuaries of north Bengal to keep a tab on tigers.

The decision was taken after the camera traps at the Neora Valley National Park captured pictures of two tigers in the past one month.

R.P. Saini, the additional principal chief conservator of forest wildlife, West Bengal, told Metro over the phone: "We have decided to set up at least 50 to 60 cameras each in all the sanctuaries and national parks of north Bengal. But in Neora Valley alone, 40 new cameras would be set up because it is smaller than other sanctuaries. Our staff will be given proper training on how to install and operate the camera traps. The new cameras would be installed by April."

"The Buxa Tiger Reserve is not included in the plan because it has already 150 cameras. The cameras there have not even clicked a single picture in the past few years, Saini added.

At present, there are eight camera traps in the Neora Valley National Park.