The Wildlife Wing of the State Forest Department conducted waterhole census (Nisarga Aanubhav 2026) event in all tiger reserves and sanctuaries of Vidarbha on Friday. The State-wide activity was carried out on the occasion of Buddha Pournima. The activity carried out in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR), Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR) and Umred Paoni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (UPKWS). The activity commenced on Friday afternoon and concluded on Saturday morning in all protected areas. In PTR, the activity was held in all ranges. A total of 76 machans were established in selected ranges, with a combined capacity to accommodate 120 volunteers. Enthusiastic participation was witnessed as 120 volunteers from across India contributed to the census efforts.

 

During the activity, total 11 tigers and 16 leopards were spotted whereas a total of 2,764 wild animals were reported in PTR and UPKWS. Chital, Sambar, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Nilgai and other wild animals also were spotted. Similarly, in TATR, the waterhole census was held in both core and buffer areas. In core, a total of 99 machans were put up with 201 forest staff and citizens were involved. Whereas, in buffer areas, 69 machans were installed for the activity in which 210 participants experienced the wild life during the activity.

 

Total 5,765 wildlife sighting were recorded across TATR. Among these, 3,089 were herbivores which indicating a strong prey-base in the reserve. A total of 42 tigers and 13 leopards were spotted during the activity. Monkey and wild boar were reported around 1,500 whereas 1,700 spotted deer also were recorded by the participants during the activity. A total of 209 mega carnivores and 212 small carnivores were spotted in TATR. The data clearly reflects a healthy and thriving ecosystem, with a robust prey predator balance across both core and buffer zones of the reserve. The Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR), the Nisarga Anubhav activity was held in all 11 ranges of the tiger reserve and for this a total of 125 machans were installed. A total of 1,978 wild animals were reported including 3 tigers which were shifted from TATR last year and 7 leopards. 82 sloth bears were also reported during the activity. Herbivores like Gaur (548), Sambar (69), Blue Bull (119), Spotted Deer (167) were also reported during the activity.