Raipur, July 29 - Maoist violence in Bastar region has prevented the Chhattisgarh government from carrying out a count of tigers, the state assembly was informed Wednesday.

Forest Minister Vikram Usendi told the assembly in a written reply that the count of tigers of the Indravati tiger project had not been undertaken for several years as the area is dominated by Maoists rebels.

The Indravati project is based in Bijapur district in restive Bastar region, some 500 km south from capital Raipur.