Officials are gearing up for the conduct of a census by the National Tiger Conservation Authority scheduled to begin on December 16.

Field Director of Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Rajiv K. Srivasatava, told The Hindu that more than 400 people, including 180 forest staff, would be involved in the census works covering 958 sq km of forest area spread over Valparai, Manomboly, Udumalpet, Pollachi, and Amaravathy.