Getting real: 1,411 is inflated count

Although pretty much evident since the last census was in 2007, yet posting this to allay the hype about the number 1411.

India’s wild tiger population is less than the often claimed figure of 1,411 tigers.
“It (the figure) is an exaggeration,” Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh said, while launching a handbook on wildlife law enforcement in India. “I don’t know from where the figure came. Probably, the number of tigers in the wild are much lower and are diminishing day by day”.
Hindustan Times was the first to report in January that India’s wild tiger population may not be more than 1,000. Many experts have doubts over the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NCTA) figure of 1,411.
“To me, there are not more than 1,000 to 1,100 tigers in the wild,” said P.K. Sen, former director of Project Tiger.
The Tiger Census report had estimated maximum of 1,650 and minimum of 1,150 tigers in 2007. It meant an average of 1,411 tigers. Since then, over 100 deaths have been reported.
The new tiger census that uses better methodology will be completed by October and by December 2010, the number of big cat would be out.
Belinda Wright, executive director of Wildlife Protection Society of India, said: “The tiger estimate in new census would be less” than in 2008.
However, Sen said that “Except Corbett Tiger Reserve, the tiger population in most other reserves has diminished.”
But four tigers died in Corbett last month, which Anil Baluni, deputy chairman of state environment and forest advisory committee, said were because of natural reasons. “There wasn’t even a single case of poaching as all body parts were intact,” he said.
Green signal
The environment and forest ministry rejected a coalmine proposal on the ground that it would adversely impact the environment whereas approved a hydropower project.
The ministry on February 12 approved construction of a dam on Lohit river in Arunachal to produce 1,750 MW power despite protests by the groups.
“The Centre continues its neglect of the serious concerns of downstream impacts of dams in the northeast... ,” said Neeraj Vagholikar of NGO Kalpvakrish.
But a coalmine proposal in Lohara near Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve was rejected on the ground that it would adversely impact tiger population.

Article taken from http://www.hindustantimes.com/Gettin...e1-509637.aspx

The figures are not surprising. We also cook up figures.

Saving Tigers in India is a critical battle now.

It is very important to use technology and try to identify and picture every single individual tiger in the wild. The number is around 1000+ only. It should be possible with a large scale deployment of camera traps. Because Tigers are territorial, and have unique patterns, it must be possible to have data on most of them. This data must be loaded on to a central database. Software can be used to establish unique individuals by analysing stripes.

Its also important that census be conducted at least twice a year (tigers only) so that we can establish either growth patterns or diminishing patterns.
The time is too short and we are running out. It is a known fact that we have lost all the tigers in Sariska just between two census!!

Also it is important to identify cubs because they are vital for population growth.

I feel that the centre should play a larger and stronger role in saving the tigers and remove protection from being a state subject.

If a central force can protect Railways (RPF), if a central force can protect industries (CISF), then what is the harm in creating a central force to protect tigers across the country?? This force should be headed by a Director General of Police and not a Forest officer.

Essentially, Tigers in India need an UID scheme. Nandan Nilekani could help :)