Bhubaneswar: The tiger population in Odisha has come down to 20 from the previous figure of 28, said a report released by the Centre on the occasion of International Tiger Day today.

The estimated tiger population in Odisha is now 20 (ranging between 17-24) from the previous figure of 28 (ranging between 26-30) in 2018, said the report released at Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand.

The report is based on the tiger census conducted across the country by the Centre in 2021-22, sources said.

As per the report, big cat population at Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) has gone up to 16 from the previous estimated figure of 8 in 2018. Similipal has been recognized as one of the 12 best managed tiger reserves in India, said the report.

Late Forester Mathy Hansdah, late Forest Guard Bimal Kumar Jena of Odisha were posthumously felicitated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) on the occasion.

Serving Forest Guard Himanshu Sethi of Odisha was also felicitated for his good work.

The Forest, Environment and Climate Change department in Odisha, meanwhile, said it will conduct fresh tiger estimation in the state in October this year as per the direction of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. “This exercise will provide the updated status of tiger population in the state,” said an official.