Numbers game
wildlife biologists have suggested an alternative approach to estimating the population of tigers in India. Ullas Karanth, a wildlife biologist, and others who have designed the alternative methodology suggest that population assessment and estimation methodologies should be based on mapping tiger distribution, continuous monitoring, site specific population estimation plan based on sampling, encounter rate index based on pug marks and camera trapping.
This is a modification to the current approach where the emphasis is on counting pugmarks to arrive at a population figure for tigers. Karanth said that research on population estimation techniques applicable to large mammals have now proved that the concept of "sampling' are more rigorous, reliable and cost-efficient compared to the earlier approaches based on total counts.
The sampling-based methods also permit the use of theoretically well-established models which also permit complex analyses through computer applications.
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