The Telangana State Forest Department is gearing up for the prestigious All India Tiger Estimation (AITE)-2026 program, which is conducted once every four years across the country. The Forest Department has completed all the necessary arrangements to effectively conduct this national program, which will provide a comprehensive assessment of the number of tigers as well as forest biodiversity, in the state.
As part of AITE–2026, field data collection will be conducted across 3,053 forest beats statewide from January 19 to 25, 2026. This survey will cover tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, reserve forests, and other forest areas. Special focus will be placed on areas where tigers roam, as well as the areas inhabited by their prey animals.
This program will be implemented in accordance with the guidelines formulated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
Trained forest personnel and volunteers will establish transect lines in the field and record indirect signs of tigers and other wildlife, such as footprints, scat samples, and claw marks. They will also record the density of prey animals, the condition of the forest habitat, and the impact of human activities using mobile applications.
Public Participation is Key
Public participation is a crucial aspect of AITE–2026. Officials stated that 1,129 volunteers have come forward to participate in this program. Additionally, prominent NGOs such as WWF, HyTICOS, Animal Warriors, Deccan Birders, and Friends of Snakes Society are also collaborating with approximately 430 trained members.
The volunteers have been distributed district-wise, based on the needs of the forest divisions, and arrangements have been made for them to participate in field data collection under the supervision of forest department personnel. Based on the data collected in this manner, the next phase will involve camera trapping and scientific analysis to prepare a comprehensive report on the tiger population and the status of other wildlife.
Forest department officials stated that the necessary arrangements for training programs, logistics, technical support, and inter-departmental coordination to successfully conduct AITE–2026 have already been completed.
Through this program, scientific approaches to tiger conservation will be further strengthened, and the proactive steps taken by Telangana state in wildlife conservation will once again receive national recognition.
