Tiger signs in Choral link Indore forests to Satpura landscape:Forest teams log fresh signs on Day 2 of tiger census, highlights ecological value of Indore–Mhow corridor

The All India Tiger Estimation (AITE)–2026 continued in the Indore Forest Division for the second consecutive day, with field teams completing intensive ground surveys across 103 forest beats. Day-wise data shows variation in carnivore sign detection, underlining the importance of repeated sampling rather than one-day readings. Forest officials clarified that the figures represent beats where signs were detected on a particular day, and must not be read as cumulative totals, as the same beat can record signs on multiple days. Day 1: Carnivore signs recorded Day 2: Tigers sign found on 18 beats What the two days indicate Officials said the two-day data reflects daily movement patterns and detectability, not population strength. Leopard presence remains widespread and stable, while tiger signs are localized and intermittent, appearing mainly in Choral, Indore and Mhow ranges. Choral’s role in the larger landscape Forest officers highlighted that the Choral forest range functions as a critical corridor, linking the Indore–Mhow forest blocks with the Satpura landscape. This corridor enables dispersal of tigers and co-predators moving between southern Madhya Pradesh and central Indian forests, making even limited tiger signs in Indore Division ecologically significant despite the absence of a resident breeding population. AITE–2026 in Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh is conducting one of the largest exercises under AITE–2026, covering tiger reserves, buffer areas, territorial forest divisions and inter-reserve corridors across the state. The census spans over 20,000 sq km of camera-trapping area with more than 10,000 grids, including divisions like Indore that fall within dispersal landscapes rather than core tiger habitats. The exercise is being carried out under the supervision of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), with trained forest staff documenting carnivore signs, prey indicators and habitat parameters through geo-tagged digital platforms. Repeated sampling is the key Divisional Forest Officer Pradeep Mishra said repeated sampling is key. Phase-I surveys are designed to capture movement over time. Day-wise variation is natural, and conclusions are drawn only after all rounds are completed, he said. The ground survey will continue over the coming days, with trends expected to become clearer before the camera-trapping phase begins.