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CONSERVATION

Madhya Pradesh has the highest methodology, which the country uses government, the population of endan-
number with 526 tigers (308 in 2014), fol- to estimate tiger numbers, have ques- gered species especially lions, rhinos,
lowed by 524 (406) in Karnataka and 442 tioned India’s tiger count methodology. tigers, and elephants has increased in
(340) in Uttarakhand. India, with around India abandoned the pugmark census country. Ministry is providing financial
3,000 tigers, is one of the biggest and method in 2004 after this failed to assistance to States and Union Territories
safest habitats for tigers in the world. detect the complete extinction of tigers for the recovery programme of critically
Three-fourths of the world’s tigers in Sariska tiger reserve. The new method endangered species under the compo-
are in India. The new numbers have involves ground surveys of all tiger bear- nent- Recovery programme for saving
brought cheer to wildlife enthusiasts ing forests, estimating prey abundance, of critically endangered species and
and conservationists but the Tiger Status understanding habitat characteristics, habitats of the Centrally sponsored
Report 2018 has also raised some con- mapping other tiger signs, and camera scheme ‘Development of Wildlife Habi-
cerns about the number of tigers in the trap pictures of tigers. In the double sam- tats’. Presently 21 critically endangered
northeast and in Chhattisgarh. pling method, counts of tiger tracks are species have been identified under this
correlated with actual tigers photo- programme.
iger numbers have more than graphed in small areas to provide region The measures taken by the Govern-
halved in Chhattisgarh from 46 wide estimates. ment to control illegal killing and poach-
T in 2014 to 19 in 2018. Mizoram and Now India has more than 70 per cent ing of wild animals include the Wild
northern West Bengal which had tiger of global tigers. One reason numbers Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for
signs in 2014 have not recorded any punishment for violation of its provi-
signs this time. Tigers were not recorded sions. The Act also provides for forfeiture
in Buxa, West Bengal, Dampa in Mizo- India now has 2,967 of any equipment, vehicle or weapon
ram and Palamau in Jharkhand. All three tigers, or 7 out of every that is used for committing wildlife
reserves recorded tiger signs in the 2014 offence(s). The Law enforcement author-
census. And Odisha hasn’t recorded any 10 big cats in the wild ities in the States have been directed to
improvement in tiger numbers. in the world, according maintain strict vigil against poaching of
Tiger occupancy — forests occupied wild animals.
by tigers — has reduced significantly in to the All India Tiger Information gathered reveals that
the northeast from 9,901 sqkm to 3,312 the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has
sqkm. Occupancy has also reduced in Estimation Results. The been set up to gather intelligence about
the Shivalik range. “North East Hills and number reflects a 33% poaching and unlawful trade in wild ani-
Odisha remain critically vulnerable and mals and animal articles and to achieve
need immediate conservation atten- rise over 2014 when inter-state and trans-boundary coordi-
tion. The tiger reserves of Nameri and there were 2,226 tigers nation in enforcement of wildlife laws.
Pakke have registered declines, while The State/Union Territory Governments
tigers have not been recorded in Buxa, in the country have been requested to strengthen the
Palamau, and Dampa in this assessment. field formations and intensify patrolling
The poor tiger status in Indravati (Chhat- in and around Protected Areas.
tisgarh) was related to law and order may have improved this time is because According to Babul Supriyo, other
situation in these areas,” the report read. of an increase in spatial coverage of measures to protect endangered wildlife
On the brighter side, 83 per cent of tiger bearing forests. The area of camera includes creation of Protected Areas, viz.,
the tigers were actually camera trapped, trapping has increased by nearly 25 per National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conserva-
adding credibility to the numbers. The cent (from 92,164 to 121,337 square km), tion Reserves and Community Reserves
National Tiger Conservation Author- the number of camera trap locations has covering important wildlife habitats all
ity (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of increased by nearly three-folds (9,735 over the country under the provisions
India (WII) team in charge of the count to 26,838 camera trapping locations) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to
made some changes in the methodol- and number of states covered has also conserve wild animals and their habi-
ogy with more dependence on camera increased from 18 to 21. tats. Financial assistance is provided to
trap images of tigers. “Spatial data on Census of major flagship species is the State/Union Territory Governments
individual tiger photo-captures is used undertaken at the State-level by the under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes
in combination with spatial data on prey, respective states periodically. However, of ‘Integrated Development of Wild-
habitat, and anthropogenic factors as census of tiger and elephant is undertak- life Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project
co-variates,” the report said, describing en at the national level once every four Elephant’, for providing better protection
the methodology. and five years respectively. to wildlife and improvement of habitat.
Some scientists who have issues As per the report of the latest cen-
with the so-called double sampling sus carried out by the state and central LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM

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