Wildlife and Nature Conservation - Centre for Ecological Sciences

the previous year and this also leads to the failure of a system that otherwise could workin the field in Indian conditions, the authorities giving warped and excessive figures.The methodology followed so far is based on collection of pugmarks, which areindividualistic. In the forthcoming all India estimation, apart from the traditional method,a refined pugmark method having much less scope for human error would be used, inaddition to camera traps, for arriving at the population figures density. This would becorrelated with relative indices based on evidences for crosschecking. Further, otherfactors of the habitat would also be taken into account in the Geographical InformationSystem (GIS) domain. For the first time, the Govt. of India would involve itself in theprimary data collection.9.3 Stakeholder Views and SuggestionsIn the responses received, the following viewpoints in brief, were put forth:-9.3.1 Wildlife ManagementMost people feel that a separate wing of the Forest Department should look aftermanagement and protection of wildlife. The services of an ecologist have been deemednecessary by some for parks and sanctuaries. Others suggest that silviculture in PAsshould aim not only at forest protection but also at augmenting herbivore food andhabitat enhancement. Stray concerns have been raised about the quality of nourishmentthat wild animals find. Many hold that changing crop patterns around PAs will minimizeman-animal conflicts. On the issue of people and parks, responses range from asking allhabitations to be removed from PAs and closing tourism in all seasons, to arguing for thenatural rights of the human inhabitants of PAs. No consensus can be said to emerge.9.3.2 EcotourismThe common thought is that Ecotourism can boost economy and generate funds forconservation, and that the private sector should be deployed in nature education and ecotourism.A small number of people also feel that ecotourism may disturb the balance inprotected areas.9.3.3 Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation• There needs to be an assessment of the extent of livelihood dependence of localcommunities and their contribution to ecosystem and wildlife conservation.• The area of PAs must be at least 5% of the geographical area of the country.• The rights of the people in PAs must be settled in time bound manner.• Biodiversity conservation must be looked after by the forest department at thecentral as well as State level, in coordination with other agencies.• Periodic review is needed of the list of the animals in the different schedules ofthe Wildlife Protection Act. The species may be added or deleted on the basis ofreview. The culling /export of the surplus animals may be considered by theGovernment to avoid man-animal conflict.• Rules needed for Community Reserves and Conservation Reserves.• In view of rising PA-people conflicts a third party arbitration mechanism may beexplored.123