Synchronized elephant census exercise begins in Tamil Nadu forests

CHENNAI: The synchronised elephant population census exercise commenced in the forest areas of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. The census will be held for three days, until May 25.

In Tamil Nadu, the population estimation of elephants is being conducted across 699 blocks in 26 forest divisions. Forest personnel such as anti-poaching watchers, forest watchers, forest guards, foresters, rangers, and volunteers from NGOs are involved in this survey. A manual has been prepared and been sent to all the divisions on the procedures to be followed for the estimation exercise.

On the first day of the census (May 23), block sampling and direct counting would be undertaken. On May 24, an indirect survey (line block) will be conducted in the same blocks by walking along identified transect lines of two kilometres and identifying the elephant dung piles on either sides of the lines intersect.

Then a waterhole census will be undertaken to identify the herd composition of the elephants coming to the water bodies in those blocks on both sides of the line.

On May 25, a waterhole census will be undertaken to identify the herd composition of the elephants coming to the water bodies in those blocks.

Prior to this estimation, all the field staff and volunteers from NGOs were given formal training by experts and biologists working in the forest department, a forest official said.

The data collected during the survey will be shared with the neighbouring states. The exact population of the elephants will be known in a few weeks. "This year's census is similar to the census conducted last year. Once the census is completed, data will be compiled and released," Srinivas R. Reddy, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) and chief wildlife warden, said.

According to a census conducted in 2023, there were 2,961 (estimated number) elephants in the Tamil Nadu forests. A census conducted in 2017 estimated 2,761 elephants.

When asked about the recently conducted population estimation of the Nilgiri Tahr species, Srinivas R. Reddy said that the data collected from the census is being collated and the details would released after re-checking.

How the elephant population survey is conducted:

Day-1:

Blocks are segregated based on elephant movement. Each block covers 5 kilometres of area.

Every forest range has 30 blocks.

Elephant sightings are recorded with age, gender, and other details.

Day-2:

Straight lines (line transect) for 2 kilometres will be drawn in all the blocks.

Surveyors will collect samples of at least 60 dung piles on either side of the line transect.

The height of the piles will be measured.

Day-3:

A survey will be conducted at waterholes, such as waterbodies in the blocks, to sight herds.

Photographs will be taken to identify age, gender, and other details.