Line-transect survey on at SGNP,to help manage park better

For the first three days,carnivores will be tracked by looking for signs such as claw marks on trees,any sightings and collecting excreta. A similar process will then be conducted to track herbivores in the next three days. The last three days will be spent on examining vegetation. Based on this data,an estimation model will be used to arrive at the probable number of animals of each species.

“It is not a census,therefore,it will not give us an exact count of the animals. But it will help us monitor,which species of herbivores and carnivores exist in these areas and also give us an estimated number of the population of each species,” Sunil Limaye,director of the park said.

The survey will also help in determining specific areas of the park where species of a particular animal exist and help in better planning and management of the park.

“Other than estimation of population,we will also conduct an occupation survey and a distribution survey. So if a specific area is found to have a large population of cheetals or sambars,we will know that more watering holes need to be built in that area. Similarly,if a specific area is found to have a large population of leopards,we can keep a watch and increase vigil in areas close to human settlement,” said Limaye.

Authorities earlier used techniques such as watering hole method,which involved counting animals when they came to the hole or the pugmark method,which were not very reliable.

The activity is part of a statewide forest department’s operation to conduct population estimation using line transect method in all sanctuaries and tiger reserves of Maharashtra.

However,this is not the same as the annual wildlife census conducted in May-June every year. This process will be conducted for three years and may even replace the census.

“Depending on the results of this survey,which will come out in April,the forest department will decide if a census needs to be conducted in addition to this or not,” said Limaye.