Rhino census in Bengal from March 12

KOLKATA: Rhino census in West Bengal will begin from March 12, forest minister Hiten Barman said.

"Authorities concerned have already been asked to take appropriate steps in this regard," he said here. Besides, there could be an amendment to the Bird Conservation Act to save winged species, he said.

To prevent leopards often entering into tea gardens, Barman said steps were being taken to restrict the movement of leopards within the limit of sanctuaries.

He said the number of 'kunki' elephants (trained jumbos) was also being raised for the purpose of warding off wild elephants from Dalma forest range into three districts.

Noting that chief minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Wildlife Conservation Advisory Board on February 6, Barman said the department was contemplating to strengthen conservation policies.