Wildlife census in Jharkhand which began on December 15 and concluded on December 22, 2025 with officials using a mobile application app for data collection.

This census was conducted in 31 territorial forest areas and five protected forest areas of the state of Jharkhand, including the Palamu Tiger Reserve and Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, state nodal officer for the exercise and PTR field director SR Natesh has said.

Notably, this census is conducted every four years using a completely scientific method to obtain accurate information regarding the presence of wildlife.

"The counting of wild animals started and concluded in the areas of forests in the country. Now, the counting has begun in the remaining reserves and territorial forest areas too," Natesh, who is also the chief conservator of forests, said.

The census is being held under the guidance of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India.

It involves field data collection and the use of camera traps. Additionally, an ecological app is being used in this process.

Currently, there are 58 reserves in India, including the Madhav Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

"According to the 2022 census, there are 3,167 tigers in the country, which is 70 per cent of the total world population. The numbers are likely to go up this time," official record claims.

A special feature of this census is that, in addition to technology and satellite-based surveys, a manual counting system is also being used. It involves collecting animal droppings, and noting footprints and scratch marks.

The app-based census continued till December 22. Now, wildlife counting in both protected and non-protected forest divisions are being conducted with human assistance and is expected to conclude by April 2026.

Around 1,600 forest personnel have been deployed for the exercise, and volunteers will also be engaged to support the operation, officials said.