For the first time, population estimation of elephants and tigers will be done in convergence next year, unlike the previous exercises in which both animals were separately counted in different years. “There is a need to improve population estimation methods along more scientific lines,” said environment minister Bhupender Yadav while releasing a protocol of the joint population estimation exercise on World Elephant Day on Thursday.

Stressing the involvement of local and indigenous people in the conservation of elephants, Yadav said the approach will also help in minimising human-elephant conflict as well. The procedure will involve statistical analyses “of ground data on animal signs, human impacts, habitat attributes and absolute density”