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The Telangana Forest Department has launched a major citizen mobilisation effort, inviting volunteers to participate in the upcoming phase of the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE-2026), the world’s largest wildlife survey. This move is critical as the state prepares to count its big cat population across over 3,000 forest beats spanning approximately 26,000 square kilometres, including the crucial Amrabad and Kawal Tiger Reserves. The department’s call for volunteers, under the tagline “Earn Your Stripes”, is aimed at augmenting resources and fostering public engagement, particularly amidst reported staff shortages and limited central funding for the quadrennial exercise. Eligible participants, who must be between 18 and 60 and physically capable of trekking 10-15 kilometres daily over rugged terrain, are needed for the intensive field survey scheduled for late November and December. Citizen Scientists on the Trail Volunteers will function as crucial “citizen scientists,” working alongside trained forest staff and conservation experts. Their primary role will be assisting in the initial, ground-based surveys, often referred to as Phase I of the AITE methodology. This involves: Transect and Trail Walks: Walking designated routes through the forest beats. Recording Tiger Signs: Documenting indirect indicators of animal presence, such as pugmarks (footprints), scat (faecal matter), scrape marks on trees, and prey sightings (herbivores like deer). Data Collection: Using the M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) mobile application for real-time, geo-tagged data entry, eliminating paper-based records. The work will extend beyond tigers to include assessing leopards, wild dogs, and various herbivore populations, providing a holistic snapshot of the ecosystem’s health. Teams will also record evidence of human disturbance, such as illegal tree felling or cattle movement, which is crucial for habitat quality assessment. Telangana’s effort aligns with the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) scientific, multi-phased approach that eventually leads to high-tech camera trapping. By mobilising NGOs, students, and local communities, the Forest Department is turning a scientific necessity into a powerful people’s movement, reinforcing the collective responsibility for conservation in a state that forms a vital part of India’s central tiger corridor.
