Abstract: Conservation practices are supposed to get refined by advancing scientific knowledge. We study this phenomenon in the context of monitoring tiger populations in India, by evaluating the ‘pugmark census method’ employed by wildlife managers for three decades. We use an analytical framework of modern animal population sampling to test the efficacy of the pugmark censuses using scientific data on tigers and our field observations. We identify three critical goals for monitoring tiger populations, in order of increasing sophistication: (1) distribution mapping, (2) tracking relative abundance, (3) estimation of absolute abundance. We demonstrate that the present census-based paradigm does not work because it ignores the first two simpler goals, and targets, but fails to achieve, the most difficult third goal. We point out the utility and ready availability of alternative monitoring paradigms that deal with the central problems of spatial sampling and observability. We propose an alternative sampling-based approach that can be tailored to meet practical needs of tiger monitoring at different levels of refinement.

Abstract: Trans Himalayas experience extremes of cold and arid climatic conditions which account for their lower productivity. The wild animals occur in lower densities and need relatively large areas to maintain viable populations. Though these animals are fully adapted to these environmental conditions, increasing human pressure poses a great threat to their survival.
Trans Himalayas are intrinsically a fragile ecosystem and their overuse has pushed them close to ravage in many localities. Higher Himalayas are progressively threatened by the increasing developmental activities such as opening up by new roads and and increasing number of satellite townships.
This region has long remained unstudied by conservationists. The paucity of information on this region is very well recognised by the managers and conservationists in the country as well as the world over. For better management and conservation of wildlife in the region, it is of paramount importance to have atleast the basic information on the status, distribution of flora and fauna, and other environmental and socio-economic aspects.

Abstract: The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a flagship species for conservation in the high mountain regions of central Asia. Data on snow leopard predation, habitat conditions and range of main prey species were gathered along with thematic maps of the study area for elevation, snow cover, sighting data, kill data, blue sheep use areas, and vegetation data. These data were entered into a GIS and used to help delineate surface features from a satellite image. Preliminary results show that general physiographic features of snow leopard habitat can be detected using satellite imagery and that GIS cartographic modeling techniques can improve this delineation. -from Authors