COIMBATORE: The alleged delay in updating the M-Stripes app, used for tiger estimation, as well as the rain have been playing spoilsport in the tiger estimation work at five tiger reserves and other non-tiger-bearing areas in the state.
While the training related to the tiger estimation along with other wildlife using direct and indirect signs has been completed for the field-level staff of five tiger reserves, including Megamalai, Anamalai, Kalakkad Mundanthurai, Mudumalai, and Sathyamangalam, the staff have not yet started using the app.
“In earlier tiger estimation, staff in a team had to cover between 1,500 hectares and 2,000 hectares. With the help of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) experts, now the NTCA officials have agreed to reduce the area to be covered to 1,000 hectares and update it in the M-stripes app, developed by WII,” said sources.
“From this year, as per the NTCA instruction, the tiger estimation will also be held in non-tiger-bearing (forest divisions) areas. Along with five tiger reserves, tiger estimation is being held in 22 forest divisions in the state. This is also another reason for the delay in updating the M-Stripes app,” sources added.
The officials also said the continuous drizzling is also another reason for the delay conducting the tiger census.
“Since the forest area is wet, we will not find indirect signs such as pugmarks, scratch marks, or scat of tigers. Moreover, we can’t take a DNA sample of a tiger using its scat. We also have to check the elephant dung and footprint of the gaur etc during the estimation. Owing to the rain, the dung will get diluted in the rainwater,” said sources in the department.
When contacted H Venuprasad APCCF (Wildlife) said there is no delay in updating the app. “The existing M-Stripes app could be used during the estimation. We are waiting for rain to subside,” he said.
TNIE’s attempts to contact scientist Dr Bilal Habib of the Wildlife Institute of India, who is in charge of developing the M-Stripes app, went futile.