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Gujarat Plans Tiger Introduction to Boost Breeding
5 Oct
Summary
- A female tiger may be introduced to Ratanmahal forest.
- The forest area is suitable for 10-12 tigers.
- Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh share the forest tract.
Gujarat is planning to introduce a female tiger into the Ratanmahal forest, aiming to establish a resident tiger population through breeding. This initiative follows a wildlife expert committee's assessment, which found the Ratanmahal forest tract, spanning parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, capable of supporting 10 to 12 tigers.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is reviewing Gujarat's request. The NTCA will decide on the origin of the female tiger, potentially sourcing it from Madhya Pradesh or another suitable location. A committee, formed by the NTCA, visited the area in late September to evaluate its suitability as a tiger habitat.
Preliminary findings suggest a contiguous forest area of approximately 450 sq km across Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, with an estimated prey base of 2,500 animals. The Gujarat Forest Department has also bolstered the prey base by establishing breeding centers for chital and sambar. A tiger has been consistently present in Ratanmahal since February 2025, having moved from Madhya Pradesh.
Plans are underway to develop this forest tract, which includes the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary and its Eco-Sensitive Zone, as a significant tiger habitat. The connectivity across the state border is expected to facilitate wildlife movement and dispersal between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
