★
Key insights
-
1
Census Timing Conflict: The tiger census coincides with local elections, creating logistical issues.
-
2
Democratic Participation: Ensuring officials can vote highlights the importance of civic engagement.
-
3
Wildlife Management: The request reflects the need to balance conservation efforts with democratic duties.
A
What happened
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has formally requested that the tiger census, which is set to end on December 8, 2025, be postponed until after the local body elections on December 9. Binoy Viswam, the state secretary of CPI, wrote to both the State Election Commission and the Head of the State Forest Force, highlighting that around 3,000 forest officials are involved in the census. He expressed concern that these officials would be unable to return from remote areas in time to vote. Viswam argued that delaying the census is a reasonable request, as the tiger population will remain stable for a short period. This situation underscores the importance of balancing wildlife management with democratic processes.