1st phase tiger census starts in Similipal
Bhubaneswar: First phase of the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE)-2026 started across 103 beats of Similipal Tiger Reserve on Saturday. As many as 103 survey groups are working to gather data regarding carnivore and ungulate density. Birds will also be counted in this phase that ends on Nov 22.
“As per the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocol, the estimation will be carried out in two phases at the tiger reserve level. In phase I, which will run for three days, carnivores and mega herbivores sign surveys will be conducted. The next four days will be dedicated to drawing transect lines and the last one to count vultures and other bird species,” said Similipal deputy director (south division) Samrat Gowda. Carnivore occupancy and ungulate density will be key focus areas during the exercise, he added.
Similipal authorities said in the second phase, an extensive camera trap exercise will be carried out across 1,321 grids (2 sq km per grid) of the tiger reserve. “Nearly 1,500 camera traps will be deployed in two cycles of 25 days each. The camera trap exercise will start from December 1 onwards after completion of the phase I exercise,” said Gowda.
Similipal Tiger Reserve reopened for tourists on Oct 18 after the monsoon. It was shut for a day on Oct 29 due to heavy rain warning. The tourist season, which usually resumes from Oct 1, was delayed this time due to extended rainfall. On an average, Similipal draws close to 40,000 tourists annually. However, wildlife authorities said tourist visits will not impact the tiger count.
Earlier, Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary decided to involve students from colleges and a school in the AITE. It has selected 46 students from a college who are being trained on how to work for the census along with the forest personnel. The students will walk through the transect lines that are drawn inside the forest to collect signs of carnivores and herbivores. This initiative, under the theme “Conserve Today for a Wilder Tomorrow”, marks the first time that college and school students will be directly involved in the tiger estimation process.
“As per the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocol, the estimation will be carried out in two phases at the tiger reserve level. In phase I, which will run for three days, carnivores and mega herbivores sign surveys will be conducted. The next four days will be dedicated to drawing transect lines and the last one to count vultures and other bird species,” said Similipal deputy director (south division) Samrat Gowda. Carnivore occupancy and ungulate density will be key focus areas during the exercise, he added.
Similipal authorities said in the second phase, an extensive camera trap exercise will be carried out across 1,321 grids (2 sq km per grid) of the tiger reserve. “Nearly 1,500 camera traps will be deployed in two cycles of 25 days each. The camera trap exercise will start from December 1 onwards after completion of the phase I exercise,” said Gowda.
Similipal Tiger Reserve reopened for tourists on Oct 18 after the monsoon. It was shut for a day on Oct 29 due to heavy rain warning. The tourist season, which usually resumes from Oct 1, was delayed this time due to extended rainfall. On an average, Similipal draws close to 40,000 tourists annually. However, wildlife authorities said tourist visits will not impact the tiger count.
Earlier, Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary decided to involve students from colleges and a school in the AITE. It has selected 46 students from a college who are being trained on how to work for the census along with the forest personnel. The students will walk through the transect lines that are drawn inside the forest to collect signs of carnivores and herbivores. This initiative, under the theme “Conserve Today for a Wilder Tomorrow”, marks the first time that college and school students will be directly involved in the tiger estimation process.
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