India's Tiger Count 2018
Saevus|September - November 2019
The need of the hour is to safeguard our wildlife and its habitat, conserving the tiger is a measure of our commitment to conserving the life-support systems of the planet.
India's Tiger Count 2018

Conserving tigers in a country with 1.36 billion people and simultaneously sustaining rapid economic growth, is a humongous task. A healthy tiger status is the litmus test for the success of our commitment to conservation. But assessing the status of tigers is by itself a mammoth exercise, and is undertaken every four years on a national scale since 2006. The 2018 tiger status estimation exercise covered forests of 20 Indian tiger states (3.8 lakh km2), with a ground survey effort of 5.23 lakh km, and remote camera deployment at 26,838 locations.

The exercise used state of the art technology and cutting-edge science to arrive at population estimates of tigers and other species. Data collection was done digitally, using a mobile phone application (M-STrIPES) that recorded the survey paths of forest guards using GPS satellites as track logs. Remote, thermal and motion sensitive cameras were also deployed. This data was then transferred and processed at the Tiger Cell of the Wildlife Institute of India by a team of 75 wildlife biologists using specially developed software (M-STrIPES desktop, CaTRAT, ExtractCompare and Hotspotter) to, (i) visualize and summarize survey data in a geographic information system, (ii) segregate millions of wildlife photographs to species and (iii) fingerprint tigers and leopards from their unique stripe and rosette patterns to identify individual animals. In areas with militancy (Maoist or Naxal), and where cameras could not be deployed, DNA extracted from tiger faeces was used to count individual tigers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SAEVUSView all
Staying ALIVE!
Saevus

Staying ALIVE!

The importance of getting to the root causes of conflict with wildlife, is essential. Its mitigation will guarantee the very survival of all species.

time-read
8 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Frames from the WILD
Saevus

Frames from the WILD

A few amazing shots from a horde of incredible ones!

time-read
3 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
WAKE UP!
Saevus

WAKE UP!

A frightening thought a world without wildlife, mornings without birdsong, and all that we take for granted! We must realise the dangers threatening the beauteous green world and its inhabitants around us!

time-read
4 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Dolphin DILEMMA!
Saevus

Dolphin DILEMMA!

A crucial article to highlight the significance, and plight of Our riverine friends.

time-read
3 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Gecko Quest!
Saevus

Gecko Quest!

The authors take us on the trail of a gecko from West Bengal, through the hills of the Bankura district.

time-read
2 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Endangered EXOTICA!
Saevus

Endangered EXOTICA!

The author takes us on an exotic ride into the forests of Malaysia, allowing us glimpses of the beauties of its wildlife!

time-read
3 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Mellifluous Magpie!
Saevus

Mellifluous Magpie!

Immerse yourselves in the world of the musical and glorious Magpie Robin! The authors help acquaint us with this beautiful bird.

time-read
10+ mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Think Different!
Saevus

Think Different!

The author brings to us the very real concern for the horses employed around pilgrimage sites in India.

time-read
4 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Take Heed!
Saevus

Take Heed!

The authors make a case for the conservation of the rare and lesser-known Sociable Lapwing.

time-read
6 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Close Encounters!
Saevus

Close Encounters!

The author introduces us to two amazing yet very different bird species, showing us the diversity of our ecosystems,

time-read
4 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24