Why in news?
In November 2025 Gujarat’s Forest Department confirmed that a male tiger has been residing in the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary for around nine months. This marks the first long‑term presence of a tiger in the state in more than three decades. Previously, tigers occasionally wandered into Gujarat but did not stay.
Background
Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Dahod district of eastern Gujarat along the border with Madhya Pradesh. Established in 1982, it covers about 55 km² of dense deciduous forest and is better known for its sloth bear population. The sanctuary forms part of a wider forested landscape extending into Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua and Kathiwada regions. The last resident tiger in Gujarat was reported in the early 1990s. Since then sporadic sightings occurred, but no animal had established territory.
In February 2025 a tiger was caught on a camera trap moving along the Gujarat–Madhya Pradesh border. Over the following months it remained within Ratanmahal and has now been confirmed as the state’s first long‑term resident tiger in 32 years.
Key details
- A young male: The tiger is estimated to be four to five years old. Forest officials believe it migrated naturally from Madhya Pradesh due to increasing tiger numbers there and the availability of habitat corridors.
- Improved habitat: Continuous forest connectivity between Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, along with better prey availability and water sources in Ratanmahal, allowed the tiger to settle. Its prolonged stay indicates a healthy ecosystem.
- Monitoring and management: The Gujarat Forest Department has been monitoring the tiger using camera traps and field teams. Authorities are working to ensure adequate prey density, protect the animal from poaching and mitigate potential human–wildlife conflict.
- Big cats in Gujarat: Gujarat is famous for Asiatic lions in Gir and leopards across its central districts. With the tiger’s arrival, the state now hosts all three major big cats found in India—lion, leopard and tiger.
Significance
The tiger’s return underscores the importance of landscape connectivity and coordinated conservation across state boundaries. It demonstrates that when habitats are restored and corridors protected, large carnivores can recolonise historic ranges. For Gujarat, the presence of a tiger is both a conservation milestone and a reminder to enhance habitat management while addressing safety concerns of local communities.
Source: New Indian Express · India Today