Click to play videoNew Delhi: Rajaji National Park is in the eye of the storm. Speculation is rife on just how many tigers does the park have.
According to the tiger census of 2005, the park had as many as 24 big cats, but latest census states the number is down by 50 per cent. The Forest Department claims the difference in the tiger count is due to the new census method that was adopted last year.
Director of Rajaji National Park, S S Rasaily says, "The results can't be compared. It depends on the technique of counting tigers. In 2005 we used pugmarks, but in 2007 we used camera traps to count the number of tigers."
Till 2005, tigers across India were counted using the pugmark method, which was questioned by wildlife experts. To avoid false reporting, a state-of-the art system of counting the national animal was introduced last year.
Scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dr Y V Jhala says, "We use various kinds of census methods. One of them is camera trap for tigers have unique stripe patterns and you can record that on camera. That tells you how many tigers you have."
Rajaji National park has been neglected for long despite being one of the pristine tiger habitats. While the tiger count in Rajaji may be more accurate now, the fear of poaching can't be ruled out. The country has lost over 90 wild tigers since the last census. As plans are on for a fresh tiger census, many of the big cats may be missing from the exercise.
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