M-STrIPES

M-STrIPES UPSC (M-STrIPES Full Form)

M-STrIPES Full Form is Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological Status. M-STrIPES app was developed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India in 2010.

The “M-STrIPES” is a platform where modern technology is used to assist effective patrolling, assess ecological status and mitigate human-wildlife conflict in and around tiger reserves. It allow mapping the patrolling, location, routes and timings of forest officials.

The M-STrIPES App was used in the All India-Tiger Estimation 2018 (Tiger Census 2018).

What is M-STrIPES?

M-STrIPES, which stands for "Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status," is a software-based monitoring system that was launched across Indian tiger reserves by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2010. 

Its primary purpose is to enhance the protection of the endangered Bengal tiger, improve ecological monitoring, and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts in and around tiger reserves.

In the M-STrIPES program, forest guards in tiger reserves are provided with personal digital assistants (PDAs) and GPS devices to capture various types of data while patrolling. These data include information related to tiger sightings, deaths, wildlife crimes, and ecological observations. The use of GPS devices allows for accurate geolocation information to be associated with these observations.

The captured data, including patrol routes, is then fed into a software system, which uses a geographic information system (GIS) for analysis. This analysis serves several key purposes:

1. Enhancing Effectiveness and Spatial Coverage of Patrols: By mapping the patrol routes of forest guards, the software system helps enhance the effectiveness of patrols. It ensures that patrols cover critical areas within the tiger reserves and helps in identifying patterns or areas where patrols may need to be intensified.

2. Evaluation of Human Pressure: The data collected and analyzed through M-STrIPES can be used to evaluate human pressure in and around tiger reserves. This includes assessing potential threats or activities that could harm the tiger population or their habitat.

3. Ongoing Monitoring of Habitat Change: The program also supports ongoing monitoring of habitat changes within the tiger reserves. This is crucial for understanding how the environment is evolving and whether changes are impacting the well-being of tigers and other wildlife.

Overall, M-STrIPES is a valuable tool for tiger reserve managers and conservationists as it leverages modern technology to collect, analyze, and use data to protect and conserve tiger populations and their habitats more effectively. It helps create a data-driven approach to wildlife conservation and management.

How do M-STrIPES Work?

The MSTrIPES program uses Global Positioning System (GPS), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), and remote sensing, to collect information from the field, create a database using modern Information Technology (IT) based tools, analyses the information using GIS and statistical tools to provide inferences that allow tiger reserve managers to better manage their wildlife resources.

Here's how M-STrIPES works and its key components:

(i) M-STrIPES Patrol Module:

The patrol module maintains a spatial database comprising patrol track logs, crime scenes with geotagged photographs, and significant observations recorded by field staff during various patrol duties. The mobile application allows real-time visualization of all patrols when a cellular network connectivity is available. 

Moreover, it offers the capability for guards to transmit geotagged location data to designated phone numbers for emergency situations through an SOS function. The mobile app can also operate seamlessly in areas with limited or no phone network coverage, utilizing the device's built-in GPS and preloaded base maps.

(ii) M-STrIPES Ecological Module:

This module standardizes ecological monitoring protocols in tiger reserves. The tiger reserves of India use a set of standardized protocols for ecological monitoring by field staff which include the following components:

• Occupancy of carnivores and large ungulates,
• Abundance estimation of ungulates,
• Assessment of anthropogenic impacts and
• Habitat assessment.

The ecological monitoring comprising of above components are implemented across the country at a spatial resolution of 20 square km every 4 years and twice annually within all tiger reserves in India and these standardized protocols are now part of ‘Ecological Module’ of MSTrIPES program.

(iii) M-STrIPES Conflict Module:

This module focuses on data recording, achieving, geotagging, and spatial analysis of human-wildlife conflict details. It allows for the recording of attacks on humans, attacks on livestock, crop damage, and property damage. This information on location, when combined with spatially referenced photo-evidence, helps wildlife managers take appropriate measures to mitigate conflicts.

M-STrIPES Benefits

M-STrIPES, the Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status, offers several significant benefits for tiger reserves and wildlife conservation efforts:

1. Enhanced Patrolling and Surveillance: M-STrIPES equips forest guards with modern technology, including GPS devices and personal digital assistants, to improve patrolling and surveillance. This results in more effective and data-driven monitoring of tiger populations and their habitats.

2. Data-Driven Conservation: The system allows for the collection of data on tiger sightings, deaths, wildlife crimes, and ecological observations. This data is analyzed and used for evidence-based decision-making in conservation efforts.

3. Improved Spatial Coverage: By mapping patrol routes and analyzing the data within a geographic information system, M-STrIPES enhances the spatial coverage of patrols. This ensures that critical areas within tiger reserves are adequately monitored.

4. Quick Response to Emergencies: The SOS function of the mobile app enables forest guards to send geotagged location data in emergency situations. This rapid response capability can help mitigate threats like poaching or human-wildlife conflicts more effectively.

5. Evaluation of Human Pressure: M-STrIPES supports the evaluation of human pressures and activities that could harm tiger populations or their habitats. This information is valuable for developing strategies to reduce human impacts on tiger reserves.

6. Habitat Monitoring: The program facilitates ongoing monitoring of habitat changes within tiger reserves. This is crucial for understanding how environmental changes may affect tigers and other wildlife.

7. Comprehensive Reporting: M-STrIPES generates easily interpretable reports and maps that aid in management and policy decisions. These reports provide valuable insights into the status of tiger populations and their conservation needs.

8. National Implementation: The M-STrIPES app is used in all national tiger reserves in India, ensuring a standardized approach to tiger conservation and protection across the country.

9. Support for Tiger Census: The M-STrIPES app was used in the All India-Tiger Estimation in 2018, demonstrating its importance in conducting national tiger population assessments.

Overall, M-STrIPES is a powerful tool that leverages modern technology to enhance the protection of tigers and their ecosystems, facilitate data-driven conservation efforts, and contribute to the long-term survival of this iconic species.

M-STrIPES UPSC Questions

Q. What is the full form of M-STrIPES?/What is the full form of M-STrIPES ecological app?

A. The full form of M-STrIPES is "Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status." It is a comprehensive software-based monitoring system used in Indian tiger reserves to enhance tiger conservation efforts and ecological monitoring. 

Q. What is the monitoring system for tiger intensive protection and ecological status?

A. The "Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status" (M-STrIPES) is a comprehensive software-based monitoring system used in Indian tiger reserves. Its primary objective is to strengthen the protection of the Bengal tiger, an endangered species, and monitor the ecological status of tiger habitats.

Ecological Module: This module standardizes protocols for ecological monitoring within tiger reserves. It covers various components, including occupancy of carnivores and large ungulates, abundance estimation of ungulates, assessment of anthropogenic impacts, and habitat assessment. These standardized protocols are a part of the "Ecological Module" of M-STrIPES.

Q. The term m-stripes is sometimes seen in the news in the context of?

A. The term "m-stripes" is sometimes seen in the news in the context of tiger conservation and the use of the "Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status" (M-STrIPES) in various tiger reserves. M-STrIPES is a software-based monitoring system designed to improve the protection of Bengal tigers, enhance ecological monitoring, and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts in and around tiger reserves in India. It is often discussed in the news when highlighting efforts to safeguard and manage tiger populations.

Q. What are the M-STrIPES used for?/What is the use of M-STrIPES?

A. M-STrIPES is used for several key purposes in the context of tiger conservation and wildlife management:

1. Enhancing Tiger Protection: M-STrIPES is primarily used to strengthen the protection of Bengal tigers, an endangered species, by improving the monitoring of tiger populations and their habitats.

2. Patrolling and Surveillance: The system equips forest guards with technology such as GPS devices and personal digital assistants (PDAs) to capture data during their patrols. This data includes information related to tiger sightings, deaths, wildlife crimes, and ecological observations.

3. Ecological Monitoring: M-STrIPES standardizes ecological monitoring protocols within tiger reserves. This includes assessing the occupancy of carnivores and large ungulates, estimating the abundance of ungulates, evaluating anthropogenic impacts, and monitoring habitat conditions.

4. Mitigating Human-Wildlife Conflict: The system also helps in the recording, geotagging, and spatial analysis of human-wildlife conflict details. This information includes attacks on humans, attacks on livestock, crop damage, and property damage. Wildlife managers can use this data to implement measures to reduce conflicts.

5. Evaluation of Human Pressure: M-STrIPES supports the evaluation of human activities and pressures that could negatively impact tiger populations or their habitats.

6. Habitat Monitoring: The program facilitates ongoing monitoring of habitat changes within tiger reserves, which is crucial for understanding how environmental changes may affect tigers and other wildlife.

7. National Implementation: M-STrIPES is used in all national tiger reserves in India, ensuring a standardized approach to tiger conservation and protection across the country.

8. Tiger Population Assessment: The M-STrIPES app was used in the All India-Tiger Estimation in 2018, demonstrating its importance in conducting national tiger population assessments.