Tadoba shows upward animal trend; sizeable gaurs, leopards in Nagzira

Nagpur: Even as the sighting of animals in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) as compared to last ‘Nisarga Anubhav’ shows an uptrend trend, and Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) witnessing increase in the number of Indian gaurs, sloth bears, and wild dogs than in TATR, wildlife experts say there is no point in the number game as the information is not replicable.
A data comparison of 2020 ‘Nisarga Anubhav’ with 2022, conducted by the TATR in both core and buffer zones shows that 4,918 animals were observed this year, an increase of 1,465 than 3,453 in 2020.
If some species like Indian gaurs, wild dogs, and sloth bears are considered, surprisingly their number is more in NNTR when compared to TATR. In Tadoba, 325 gaurs were recorded while it was 687 in NNTR. Similarly, 121 wild dogs and 95 sloth bears were sighted in NNTR compared to 36 and 22 in TATR.
“Don’t go by the numbers. In TATR, 11 leopards were recorded and it was 23 in NNTR. That doesn’t mean their number is low in the Tadoba landscape. The term ‘census’ implies a complete count, but in practice, a total count of wild animals is not possible. Hence, current methods incorporate animal detection probabilities, effective survey area, survey effort, species home range, etc to derive ‘estimates’ for a given species, says wildlife biologist Aditya Joshi.
“Scientifically, ‘machan census’ is a misleading term and should instead be rebranded as ‘machan observations’. Instead of focusing on animal numbers, this activity could be an extremely engaging tool to create awareness among citizens and could lead to identification of dedicated volunteers who can participate in Phase-I & Phase III-IV exercises conducted by the forest department,” said Joshi.
“The ‘Nisarga Anubhav’ has become a commercial activity. Also, no record of chinkara, porcupines, and flying squirrels is an alarming sign. The method has become age-old and is not scientific. There is also no junction point tracking,” said Uday Patel, Gadchiroli honorary wildlife warden.
Wildlife conservationist Prafulla Bhamburkar says, “The machan census has no more authenticity as the figures are not considered for the record. Only the excitement to feel the forest at night and behavioural correlation of animal movement while approaching the water holes remains.”
“However, the sighting record of animals cannot be denied outright. It can be used for the betterment of critical species in certain protected areas. The number of animals sighted indicates healthy habitat. For example, the low number of spotted deer (200) and sambar (121) in NNTR indicates poor prey base,” said Bhamburkar.
In TATR, last time (2020), 36 tigers were sighted while in 2022, 44 have been recorded. On the upward trend of sightings, even TATR field director Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar says, “We cannot draw any inference as we know many machans which are near each other or even at some distance see same animals moving from one area to another.”