Source: IE
Context: The Environment Ministry has shelved its elephant census report, ‘Status of Elephant in India 2022-23’, citing a delay in the census in the Northeast.
| Aspect | Old Method (Pre-2002) | New Method (Post-2022) |
| Direct Count | Simple headcount of elephants based on sightings | Refined direct count through sample block method, where 5 sq km blocks are surveyed |
| Dung Count | Introduced in 2002: Indirect method based on dung decay rate and defecation rate of elephants to estimate population. | Still used in conjunction with more advanced genetic methods in selected landscapes |
| Genetic Mark-Recapture | Not used | DNA analysis of elephant dung samples, identifying individual elephants through microsatellite markers |
| Extrapolation | Elephant numbers extrapolated based on limited observations in certain regions | Extrapolated data combined with genetic data, increasing accuracy for unsurveyed regions |
| Combined Estimation | Old methods lacked integration with other wildlife data | Now synchronized with tiger census data for better landscape-level management and policy recommendations |
Protection status of Elephant:
- IUCN Status: Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed in Schedule I for highest protection.
- CITES: Included in Appendix I, prohibiting international trade except in rare circumstances.
The new methods of counting elephants, using genetic mark-recapture models, offer a more accurate picture of elephant populations. However, habitat loss, conflict, and threats like mining and low-hanging power lines continue to threaten the species.
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