The Forest Department at Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve has kick-started meticulous groundwork for the All India Tiger Estimation 2026, setting in motion a year-long plan that includes staff training, field exercises, and scientific data collection to assess the status of tigers in the region.
Speaking to media, Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) Prakash Chand Gogineni shared that the initiative has already begun in the Mayurbhanj-based reserve, with the emphasis now on enhancing staff capabilities and streamlining ecological monitoring.
“As part of the national tiger census scheduled for 2026, we have launched detailed preparations at Similipal. Training of forest staff and field functionaries is our top priority right now to ensure robust and uniform data collection,” Gogineni said.
He outlined the phased nature of the process, noting that the initial summer phase will focus on recording ecological parameters, while post-monsoon activities will include carnivore sign surveys, herbivore line transects, and counter raids to map both prey and predator movements.
“Post-monsoon, we will undertake more comprehensive tasks, including carnivore sign surveys, herbivore line transects, and counter raids to monitor both prey and predator movement,” he added.
The preparatory phase will last for over a year, aiming to synchronize with protocols issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The All India Tiger Estimation, conducted every four years, is regarded as one of the largest wildlife surveys in the world, both in scale and scientific methodology.
“Each reserve across the country will independently carry out its share of work, which will then be integrated into a national dataset. At Similipal, we are also gearing up for the next evaluation cycle as part of our ongoing conservation efforts,” Gogineni noted.
Similipal, one of India’s 53 tiger reserves, covers a sprawling area of 2,750 sq km, with 2,200 sq km open to ecotourism. It serves a crucial role in tiger conservation efforts in eastern India.
The last All India Tiger Estimation in 2022 recorded 3,167 tigers nationwide, though Odisha reported relatively fewer sightings—a trend that authorities are determined to change through targeted conservation strategies.
The Tiger Census, held every four years under the All India Tiger Estimation program, employs a combination of field surveys, camera trapping, pugmark analysis, and scat studies to track tiger population trends, health, and habitat status. These efforts are instrumental in shaping India’s wildlife conservation policies and preserving its status as home to the largest population of wild tigers in the world.