A comprehensive wildlife census covering all the forest areas in Kerala will be carried out soon. The census, which is likely to begin next month, is expected to give a clear indication regarding the wildlife wealth of the State. The latest survey comes after a gap of nine years.
It was in 2002 that such a survey was held in the State last. Though the tiger and elephant populations of the State are estimated regularly, the latest date on other wildlife present in the Kerala forest are not available, says N.V. Thrivedi Babu, Additional Principal Chief conservator of Forest.
While the tiger population estimation of the State was carried out in 2010 and 2006, elephant population was estimated in 2010.
Precious little is known about other wildlife species which are present in the biodiversity rich forest of the State, officials say.
Census will be conducted in the 35 forest divisions involving all the divisional forest officers. Agencies such as the World Wildlife Fund and the Kerala Forest Research Institute have offered to participate in the exercise. It is estimated that around 2,000 officials and volunteers will have to be involved in the process.
Before the 2002 census, a comprehensive survey covering the entire forest area was held in 1997. The earlier survey results had indicated a positive trend in terms of wild animal population.
The department is in the process of finalising the modalities of the census, including the methodology that needs to be adopted. It will also evolve a module for training the participants. Forest authorities are also planning to seek the support of non-governmental organisations and volunteers for the census as it will considerably reduce the census workload of its staff. Moreover, the participation of volunteers selected from the general public will help in ensuring transparency and credibility of the exercise, Mr. Babu says.
The volunteers will be made part of the expert teams that will carry out the survey, he says.
