Field level data collection for the All India Tiger Estimation 2025-26 has started in the Kannur Forest Division, with staff having already covered nearly 210 km on foot as part of the first phase protocol.
The first phase, which began on 1 December involves systematic data gathering across tiger habitats in the division. For the exercise, the Kannavam, Taliparamba and Kottiyoor ranges have been divided into six, three and five blocks respectively, said Vysak Sasi, Division Forest Officer, Kannur.
He said there are 14 blocks with over 56 people involved in collection of data. With each block being supervised by a charge officer, the data are uploaded using the National Tiger Conservation Authority mobile application.
Mr. Sasi said following the national protocol, teams are required to walk three trails of not less than 5 km each and a transect line of at least 2 km within every block. Observation from these walks are recorded through the ecological module of the M-STripes app, with photographic evidence. The first phase adheres to an eight day protocol designed for sign surveys and ecological assessment.
Once compiled at the division level, the data will be forwarded to the NTCA. The first phase will concludes on December 8, after which the division will begin the next stage of installation of camera traps, on the scheduled date.
Simultaneously, the officials are also collecting the data in the Aralam and Kottiyoor wildlife sanctuaries. Officials said that the data is being collected from seven blocks in the sanctuary and that transect line monitoring is now progressing to estimate the tiger population.
Published – December 05, 2025 05:25 pm IST
