Hyderabad – Ever dreamed of swapping your city commute for a forest trail? Of trading spreadsheets for pugmarks? For wildlife enthusiasts across India, the Telangana Forest Department has rolled out a rare opportunity: a chance to help count the nation’s most majestic predator.
In a groundbreaking move towards citizen-led conservation, Telangana has officially invited volunteers to participate in the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2024. Under the clever banner of ‘Earn Your Stripes‘, this initiative calls on the public to step into the boots of a field biologist and contribute to one of the world’s largest wildlife surveys.
This initiative is a direct invitation to become a vital part of the national effort to protect the Royal Bengal Tiger. The census will focus primarily on the state’s two key tiger habitats: the expansive Amrabad Tiger Reserve and the Kawal Tiger Reserve.
What is the ‘Earn Your Stripes‘ Initiative?
‘Earn Your Stripes‘ is more than just a call for a weekend trek; it’s a citizen science program designed to foster a deeper connection between the public and wildlife conservation. For decades, this work has been the domain of government bodies and NGOs. By inviting citizens to count tigers, the Telangana Forest Department is democratizing conservation, creating a new generation of advocates who have a personal stake in the survival of our national animal.
Your Role in the Telangana Tiger Census
So, what does it mean to “count tigers”? Volunteers won’t be conducting a head-on head-count. Instead, you’ll work in teams alongside seasoned forest officials to comb designated forest beats for indirect evidence of tiger presence.
The process is scientific, subtle, and crucial. Your mission will include:
- Identifying Pugmarks: Learning to spot, measure, and record the unique footprints of tigers.
- Locating Scat: Finding and logging tiger droppings, which provide invaluable DNA information about their health and diet.
- Spotting Territorial Marks: Identifying claw marks on trees that tigers use to mark their territory.
- Recording Prey Density: Observing and noting the presence of deer, wild boar, and other prey, as a healthy prey base is essential for a thriving tiger population.
All data is collected using the M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers’ Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) app, a sophisticated tool that geotags all findings to ensure scientific accuracy.
Why This Citizen-Led Tiger Count Matters
The data collected by volunteers will feed directly into the national tiger census, providing a comprehensive, on-the-ground picture of the tiger population, their distribution, and the health of their habitat. This information is critical for shaping future conservation policies, managing human-wildlife conflict, and allocating resources effectively to protect these magnificent animals.
How to Volunteer and ‘Earn Your Stripes‘
The call is open to any citizen with a passion for wildlife, a reasonable level of physical fitness, and a willingness to brave rugged forest terrain. The Forest Department will vet applications to select a dedicated corps of volunteers. Those selected will be provided with official training, food, and accommodation during the census period.
For those who have only ever admired tigers from a distance, this is a rare chance to walk the same paths, understand their world, and contribute directly to their future. It is an opportunity not just to see the forest, but to become its guardian.
