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All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026 Underway
What's the News?
The 6th cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026, the world's largest scientific wildlife monitoring exercise, is underway across India. Conducted every four years by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and State Forest Departments, the exercise assesses tiger populations, co-predators, prey species, and habitat health using advanced scientific methods. The final report is expected in 2027.
All India Tiger Estimation (AITE)
- National tiger population assessment conducted every four years.
- 6th Cycle: AITE 2026.
- Implementing Agencies:
- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
- Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
- State Forest Departments.
- Considered the world's largest camera trap-based wildlife survey.
Objectives
- Estimate the national tiger population.
- Assess:
- Co-predators (leopards, dholes, etc.).
- Prey abundance.
- Habitat quality.
- Human disturbances.
- Support evidence-based wildlife conservation and management.
- Monitor long-term population trends and habitat connectivity.
Methodology
The estimation follows a multi-phase scientific protocol:
Phase I
- Carnivore sign survey.
- Habitat assessment.
- Human disturbance mapping.
Phase II
- Line transect surveys.
- Estimation of prey density.
Phase III
- Camera trapping across identified grids.
- Individual tiger identification using stripe patterns.
Phase IV
- Statistical analysis integrating:
- Camera trap data.
- Field observations.
- GIS and occupancy models.
- DNA evidence (where available).
Technologies Used
- Camera traps.
- M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers–Intensive Protection and Ecological Status).
- GPS-enabled field surveys.
- GIS and remote sensing.
- DNA analysis of scat and hair samples.
- Occupancy modelling and advanced statistical analysis.
Previous Tiger Estimation (2022)
- Estimated tiger population: 3,682.
- India supports approximately 75% of the global wild tiger population.
- Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of tigers (785), followed by Karnataka (563) and Uttarakhand (560).
Additional Info
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
- Established: 2005.
- Statutory basis: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended in 2006).
- Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Functions:
- Oversight of Project Tiger.
- Approval and monitoring of Tiger Conservation Plans.
- Technical and financial support to Tiger Reserves.
- Coordination of the All India Tiger Estimation.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
- Established: 1982.
- Headquarters: Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
- Autonomous institution under MoEFCC.
- Provides scientific and technical support for wildlife research and monitoring, including AITE.
Project Tiger
- Launched: 1973.
- Objective:
- Ensure a viable population of tigers in their natural habitats.
- Protect associated ecosystems and biodiversity.
M-STrIPES
- Full Form: Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status.
- A GIS-enabled software and mobile-based monitoring system used for:
- Patrolling.
- Wildlife monitoring.
- Habitat management.
- Anti-poaching operations.