India's Tiger Census 2026 Begins: The World's Largest Wildlife Survey

The 6th cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026 has officially commenced, poised to be the world's largest wildlife monitoring exercise. This critical assessment will span throughout 2027, with a final report anticipated later that year. The AITE 2026 extends beyond a simple tiger count, encompassing a thorough scientific evaluation of co-predators, prey populations, and vital habitats within the forest ecosystem.

Recognizing the significant tiger population outside protected areas, India has launched the 'Tiger Outside Tiger Reserve' (TOTR) project. This initiative provides financial and technical support to states where tigers inhabit landscapes beyond notified reserves. The project focuses on monitoring these tigers, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, and developing safe wildlife corridors.

India stands as a global leader in big cat conservation, harboring approximately 70 percent of the world's wild tiger population. This leadership is further exemplified by the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), an initiative spearheaded by India to foster international cooperation for conserving seven major big cat species worldwide. The Wildlife Institute of India is also actively involved in conserving various endangered species, including the Caracal, recently confirmed in Jaisalmer.