No more pugmark-tracking for Tiger count

[Guest guest]

Yes right! No more `faulty' pugmark-tracking……but the new statistical measure

based on camera trap. Wonderful! A major breakthrough!!!! Out with the old sytem

and welcome the new one!!!!

But I guess the fault is not with the old system but with the entire forest

deptt and its officials!

The new system would be feasible only when the Tigers are sighted …so all the

best with it! Hope you have an accurate `guesstimation'!!!!!

 

Warm Regards

Radhika Singh

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Health-Science/Earth/Flora-Fauna/No-more-pugm\

ark-tracking-for-tiger-count/articleshow/4751432.cms

 

No more pugmark-tracking for tiger count'

8 Jul 2009, 0652 hrs IST, TNN

 

NEW DELHI: Environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday told Rajya

Sabha that the old system of tiger census through pugmarks was

 

" faulty " and a new statistical measure based on camera trap has been started.

 

Stating that the number of tigers hovered between 1,150 and 1,600, Ramesh also

made it clear that at no cost would India follow US and Chinese model of

breeding tigers in captivity. " All tigers in India are in the wild and will

remain in the wild, " he said, replying to calling attention on Project Tiger. He

said though estimation of tiger population took place once in four years, he

will prefer to have it once in two years.

 

In a debate that saw members cutting across party lines express concern about

the falling number of tigers, Ramesh said the best protectors of environment and

tigers were local communities. " We don't need policing. We need incentives for

local communities to protect the ecosystem, " he said.

 

Ramesh said he had already spoken to 200 vangujar families who live in the Jim

Corbett Park. " I am going to start social protection force with their help. If

it works, we will take it elswhere also. They will be paid and given mobility

and connectivity, " he said.

 

Ramesh said according to the new plan, people living in tiger reserves would be

moved to buffer zones while the core inviolate area would have no human

habitation. He said about 80,000 to one lakh people will be moved to buffer

zones and compensation had been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

 

Responding to concerns expressed by nominated member Chandan Mitra that no

poacher, including notorious Sansar Chand, had ever been punished, Ramesh said

his ministry had proposed setting up a National Green Tribunal for speedy

trials. " If the Act needs change. I am open to it, " he said, adding that

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau was also in place.