All India Tiger Estimation 2026 Begins

• Tiger Estimation Initiative: The All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026 will commence on January 5, with assessments continuing in seven-day cycles until late February.

• Organizing Bodies: This exercise is organized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India, marking the world's largest wildlife monitoring effort, which occurs every four years.

• Assessment Scope: AITE assesses:

  • Tiger population
  • Co-predators like leopards, wild dogs, and hyenas
  • Mega herbivore prey species including gaur, sambar deer, spotted deer, and barking deer.
  • Habitat assessment will include sign surveys, line transects, camera trapping, and genetic sampling.

• Tiger Reserves in Tamil Nadu: The state hosts five significant tiger reserves:

  1. Kalakad Mundanthurai
  2. Anamalai
  3. Mudumalai
  4. Sathyamangalam
  5. Srivilliputhur-Megamalai

• Population Data: Tamil Nadu's tiger population has increased from 264 in 2018 to 306 in 2022 based on prior estimates.

• Involvement and Technology: The exercise will engage frontline staff, volunteers, and will utilize technology such as camera traps and the M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers-Intensive Protection & Ecological Status) for monitoring.

• Public Participation: Individuals interested in participating can register in advance at their respective tiger reserve offices.

The initiative underlines the commitment towards wildlife conservation and biodiversity in line with Article 48A of the Indian Constitution, which focuses on the protection and improvement of the environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife. Moreover, it reflects the implementation of the National Wildlife Action Plan, which advocates for conservation efforts, habitat protection, and population monitoring of wildlife species.