Butterfly survey at PTR: Researchers, citizens roped in

Nagpur (PTI): Researchers and wildlife enthusiasts will be roped in for a butterfly survey to be conducted in Pench Tiger Reserve from March 10 to 12, a senior official said.

A butterfly check list recently prepared by Assistant Conservator of Forests, Atul Deokar, has revealed 128 species in the tiger reserve, PTR’s Deputy Director Dr Prabhunath Shukla said in a release.

The survey, to be conducted in all seven ranges of the tiger reserve by more than 100 enthusiasts, researchers and citizens, will enable scanning of its area simultaneously and to study the abundance and distribution of butterfly species in different parts of the reserve, it said.

The survey involves walking on foot on a five to eight km trail. Field surveys will start every day at 6.30 am and 3 pm. Data collected by the participants will be compiled, the release.

People with Master’s degree in wildlife sciences, zoology, life sciences, environmental sciences, entomology or related fields will be given preference, it said.

The participants will be allotted selected protection huts. In each protection hut, three to five persons, led by at least one researcher or a butterfly expert, will stay from March 10 to 12, the release said.

More than 80% kids in measles-affected wards vaccinated

Under its outbreak immunization response, BMC has achieved the target within three months

First India Bureau Mumbai: After combating a widespread measles outbreak, the Brihanmumbai Mu - nicipal Corporation (BMC) has successfully vaccinated more than 80% children in wards affected by the viral disease in the past three months.

As per official data, outbreak response immunization (ORI) undertaken by the civic body began on December 01, 2022. Since then, out of 2.32 lakh kids in the age group of 9 months to 5 years, over 1.98 lakh (85.29%) have been administered an

Measles additional dose of the MR vaccine. As per health officials, the measles out - break is under control across the city and they have achieved an overall target of im - munizing more than 80% of children in wards affected with measles.

“The measles vaccination coverage in the city and state is satisfactory. However, there is a need for emphasizing routine immunization to avoid future outbreaks. We have achieved 80-85% of additional measles dose coverage in the outbreak health posts. We plan on continuing our measles vaccination drive” said a senior official from the civic Health Department.

Dr Subhash Salunkhe, former Director of Health for Maharashtra who heads the outbreak task force, said achieving maximum measles vaccination coverage is needed to curb the outbreak. “We have been regularly reviewing the vaccine coverage and surveillance in the city/state and it is satisfactory,” he said.