Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Andhra Pradesh Begins Wildlife Population Survey
Andhra Pradesh has started an important wildlife survey called AITE-2026.
This survey will last for 8 days and is being done to count different animals like tigers, leopards, elephants, and deer.
Officials will walk on forest trails and use a special app to record their findings.
The survey will also check the quality of the animals' habitats and how humans are affecting them.
Some areas had to delay the survey because of a cyclone and protests, but they will join once it's safe.
The information from this survey will help protect wildlife in Andhra Pradesh.
All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE)-2026, Phase-I survey began in Andhra Pradesh to document key carnivores and herbivores.
Survey will cover 2,500 forest trails and 2,900 line transects using the M-STrIPES mobile app.
Delays occurred in Tirupati and Nellore districts due to cyclone impact and in some agency areas due to a Maoist bandh.
Objective is to assess vegetation, habitat quality, and human disturbances to strengthen wildlife conservation strategies.
State nodal officer B. Vijaya Kumar reported a smooth launch across most regions.
- Who
- State nodal officer and NSTR Field Director B. Vijaya Kumar, forest officials
- What
- All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE)-2026, Phase-I wildlife population survey
- When
- Began on Monday, 8-day duration
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, with delays in Tirupati and Nellore districts, and some agency areas
- Why
- To document populations of key carnivores and herbivores, assess vegetation, habitat quality, and human disturbances for wildlife conservation
- Survey Name
- All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE)-2026
- Duration
- 8 days (Phase-I)
- Key Species
- Tigers, leopards, wolves, jackals, hyenas, foxes, elephants, Indian gaur, sambar, spotted deer, nilgai, blackbuck, mouse deer, sloth bears
- Survey Methods
- Forest trails, line transects, M-STrIPES mobile app
- Areas Covered
- 2,500 forest trails, 2,900 line transects
- Challenges
- Cyclone impact in Tirupati and Nellore, Maoist bandh in some agency areas
- Objective
- Strengthen wildlife conservation strategies