Gujarat Regains 'Tiger State' Status
After 33 years, Gujarat has been recognized as a 'Tiger State' following the confirmation of a tiger's presence in the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Key Developments
- Detection:
- Forest officials discovered pugmarks on February 23 in the Pipalgota Round of the Kanjeta Range.
- Camera traps captured an image of a tiger on February 22 at 2:40 am.
- NTCA Involvement:
- NTCA was notified and conducted a study, confirming the tiger's presence in Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Gujarat has been included in the national Tiger Census with recommendations to enhance the ecosystem.
Conservation Efforts
- Habitat Enhancement:
- Continuous supervision of the sanctuary and increased camera traps.
- Initiatives for water and prey base availability, security, and fire prevention.
- Prey Base Augmentation:
- Existing species include wild boars, blue bulls, and monkeys.
- Additional release of antelopes and spotted deer during the monsoon.
- Future Plans:
- Training for forest officials in tiger conservation and breeding.
- Efforts to introduce a female tiger to bolster the population.
- Aim to declare Ratanmahal Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve.
Significance
This development makes Gujarat the only Indian state to host lions, tigers, and leopards, reflecting successful forest conservation initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Historical Context
- Tigers were abundant in Gujarat but became extinct over time.
- In 1989, tiger pugmarks were found but no tiger was seen.
- By 1992, Gujarat lost its 'Tiger State' status, which has now been restored.
- A previous tiger sighting in 2019 in Mahisagar district was short-lived.
