Gujarat regains ‘Tiger State’ status after 33 years; NTCA confirms presence in Ratanmahal sanctuary

“On the basis of that, a team of the NTCA carried out a study in Gujarat and confirmed the presence of a tiger in Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary in its primary report and included Gujarat for the Tiger Census in the country, while also suggesting steps to strengthen the ecosystem,” the minister was quoted as saying in the official release.

The release, however, added that the Gujarat Forest Department is yet to receive an authorised communication from the NTCA in this regard.

The minister said the state Forest Department has begun efforts to strengthen the ecosystem for tiger habitation.

“The area is being constantly supervised since confirmation of the tiger’s presence, and necessary steps are being taken to ensure availability of water and prey base, security, and fire prevention. The number of camera traps in the area has also been increased,” Modhwadia said.

He added that the sanctuary already has wild boars, blue bulls and monkeys, and that prey base species are being augmented where required. “Additionally, antelopes and spotted deer were released in the area during the monsoon. At the same time, forest department officials will be trained in conservation and breeding of tigers. Moreover, attempts are on to bring a female tiger to increase the tiger population in the region. All efforts are also being made to ensure that Ratanmahal Sanctuary is declared a Tiger Reserve,” the release said.

Calling it a “proud moment for Gujarat”, Modhwadia said the state has become the only one in India to host three big cat species — lion, tiger and leopard — simultaneously.

“This is a result of forest conservation work done under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel,” he said.

According to the minister, tigers were once present in large numbers in Gujarat but gradually became extinct in the state.

“The last time, in 1989, when the Tiger Census was conducted, officials spotted pugmarks of a tiger but no tiger was seen. In the 1992 Tiger Census, Gujarat was excluded and lost its status as a Tiger State. With the sighting of a tiger in 2019 in Mahisagar district, a ray of hope was raised, but unfortunately it survived only for 15 days. It is a matter of joy for us that a tiger has once again made Gujarat its home,” he said.