Speaking about the collaboration, Field Director Tushar Chavan said that the involvement of skilled volunteers and technical teams from TGT will make the AITE exercise stronger, more accurate, and community-driven
Tushar Chavan, Field Director Sahyadri Tiger Reseve (L) and Mihir Godbole (R). Pic/By Special Arrangement
The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) of the Maharashtra Forest Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Grasslands Trust (TGT) to work together for the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026, officials said on Sunday.
The MoU was signed by Tushar Chavan, IFS, Field Director of STR, and Mihir Godbole, Founder and Trustee of The Grasslands Trust.
AITE, conducted every four years by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), is the world’s largest wildlife population monitoring programme. It not only counts tigers but also assesses other predators such as leopards, wild dogs, and hyenas, along with prey species like sambar, chital, gaur and barking deer.
The estimation uses several scientific methods, including line transects, camera traps, sign surveys, habitat assessments and genetic analysis, to understand predator–prey numbers, habitat quality and long-term conservation needs. The Sahyadri landscape plays an important role in this national survey of wildlife.
Speaking about the collaboration, Field Director Tushar Chavan said that the involvement of skilled volunteers and technical teams from TGT will make the AITE exercise stronger, more accurate, and community-driven.
Under the new partnership, STR and TGT will work together on coordinated tiger and wildlife population surveys. TGT will support the process with trained volunteers, technical expertise, field equipment and logistical help, ensuring accurate and high-quality data collection. All work will follow NTCA and WII protocols.
Mihir Godbole, Founder and Trustee of TGT, said the organisation is honoured to assist STR and remains committed to scientific and volunteer-based conservation work. He also encouraged wildlife lovers, researchers and field volunteers to register for AITE 2026.
People interested in taking part can visit the Grasslands Trust website or contact the organisation through its official social media handles, officials said.
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