Archive · 30 Nov 2025
Trap Cameras Reveal Purulia's Biodiversity Thriller
Scientists set up special cameras in a forest in Purulia, West Bengal, to watch wild animals.
Over many months, these cameras took pictures and videos of many different animals, including deer, cats, bears, and even elephants.
Some of these animals, like a tiny wild cat and a brave honey badger, had never been seen in this area before.
The scientists are excited because this shows that the forest is home to many kinds of animals.
They want to protect these animals and their homes.
The forest in Purulia is special because it has hills, which makes it harder for people to turn it into farms.
This helps the animals live safely.
The scientists are working with the local people to teach them about the importance of protecting these animals.
Trap cameras installed in Kotshila forest, Purulia, captured diverse wildlife including leopards, sloth bears, honey badgers, Indian pangolins, and a rusty-spotted cat.
The rusty-spotted cat and honey badger were documented in Bengal for the first time.
The project, led by Heal and supported by the Duleep Matthai Nature Conservation Trust, aimed to conserve pangolins and document biodiversity.
The cameras covered only 8sqkm of the 50sqkm Kotshila forest, revealing a rich variety of species in a small area.
Forest officials and researchers emphasize the need for a comprehensive census and conservation action plan to protect Purulia's wildlife.
- Who
- Human and Environment Alliance League (Heal), Duleep Matthai Nature Conservation Trust, Bengal Forest Department
- What
- Trap cameras captured diverse wildlife in Purulia's Kotshila forest
- When
- Cameras were installed in January and retrieved in September
- Where
- Kotshila forest, Purulia, West Bengal, India
- Why
- To document biodiversity and support pangolin conservation efforts
- Location
- Kotshila forest, Purulia, West Bengal, India
- Camera Installation Period
- January to September
- Area Covered by Cameras
- 8 square kilometers
- Total Forest Area
- 50 square kilometers
- Organizations Involved
- Human and Environment Alliance League (Heal), Duleep Matthai Nature Conservation Trust, Bengal Forest Department
- Notable Species Documented
- Indian muntjac, Indian civet, leopard, sloth bear, honey badger, Indian pangolin, rusty-spotted cat, elephant
- First Formal Documentation in Bengal
- Rusty-spotted cat
- Project Focus
- Pangolin conservation and biodiversity documentation