Tadoba Tiger Reserve's Machan Census Reveals 42 Tiger Sightings Amid Thriving Wildlife The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) conducted its annual ‘machan census’ on May 1, coinciding with Buddha Purnima, to assess wildlife activity during peak summer heat. The census, which tracked 5,765 animals, recorded 42 tiger sightings and 13 leopard sightings across the reserve’s core and buffer zones. The exercise highlighted a strong prey-predator dynamic, with herbivores comprising over 53% of the total sightings. Spotted deer (1,745), grey langur (1,020), and sambar (623) were the most frequently observed species, underscoring the reserve’s role as a critical habitat for apex predators. The census revealed a notable trend in public engagement, with citizens actively participating in buffer zone monitoring. While forest staff managed 99 machans (observation platforms) in the core area, 54 of the 69 available machans in the buffer zone were booked by local residents through an online system. This collaboration yielded higher tiger sightings in buffer areas (23) compared to the core (19), suggesting that wildlife populations are thriving beyond protected boundaries. The data also emphasized the ecological health of the reserve, with additional species documented, including Indian gaur (547), wild boar (480), and over 500 Indian peafowl. Rare sightings of sloth bears (80) and honey badgers (8) further reinforced the reserve’s biodiversity. Field Director Prabhu Nath Shukla emphasized the importance of the census for long-term conservation planning, stating that the data provides insights into habitat dynamics and helps safeguard biological corridors critical for tiger survival.#tadoba_andhari_tiger_reserve #prabhu_nath_shukla #buddha_purnima #machan_census #tadoba_tiger_reserve
CM Samrat Choudhary Performs Satyanarayan Puja for Bihar's Prosperity Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of Bihar conducted a special puja for Satyanarayan on Buddha Purnima, April 15, 2026, at his residence, expressing hopes for the state’s welfare and prosperity. The ceremony, shared on social media platform X, included traditional rituals and prayers, with Choudhary emphasizing the importance of faith, compassion, and humanity. His message highlighted the need for harmony among living beings and the well-being of the global community. This puja followed Choudhary’s earlier visits to several prominent religious sites in Bihar, including the Bada Patn Devi Mandir, Harirajnath Mandir, Punaura Dham, and Harimandir Sahib. These trips, part of his efforts to strengthen cultural connections and project a soft image as a leader, were seen as strategic moves to build public trust. The timing of the puja coincided with Buddha Purnima, a significant day in Buddhist tradition, which Choudhary used to reaffirm his commitment to spiritual values and social welfare. In a social media post, Choudhary wrote, “धर्म की जय हो, अधर्म का नाश हो, प्राणियों में सद्भाव हो, विश्व का कल्याण हो” (Victory to dharma, defeat to adharma, harmony among beings, and prosperity for the world). He also praised the life of Buddha and his eightfold path as an ideal for human existence, linking it to the state’s development goals. Political analysts noted that Choudhary’s religious engagements are not merely symbolic but part of a broader strategy to connect with diverse communities and reinforce his leadership narrative. By prioritizing spiritual practices alongside administrative duties, he aims to balance governance with cultural sensitivity, addressing both secular and religious sentiments in Bihar.#x #bihar #samrat_choudhary #satyanarayan_puja #buddha_purnima
