Tiger returns to Gujarat after 32 years

Forests in Gujarat which had been bereft of tiger for more than three decades, have witnessed the presence of one.

For the first time in 32 years, a male Royal Bengal tiger has taken up permanent residence in the state, marking a historic ecological event.

According to India Today, forest officials have confirmed that a male tiger has been living in the Ratan Mahal Wildlife Sanctuary in Dahod district for the past nine months.

Gujarat, best known as the last abode of the Asiatic lion, now joins the rare list of Indian states hosting all three major species of big cats, lion, leopard, and tiger.

The Indian based online magazine quoted Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia as describing the development as a proud moment for the state, emphasising that Gujarat’s diverse ecosystems are once again proving capable of supporting complex wildlife populations.

According to senior forest officials, the tiger, estimated to be about five years old, was first spotted in the border areas of Ratan Mahal, adjoining the Jhabua and Kathiwada regions of Madhya Pradesh.

These adjacent forests have seen a strong rise in tiger numbers over recent years.

Officials believe the animal may have migrated naturally, seeking a new territory as populations in Madhya Pradesh expanded.

Since the initial sighting nine months ago, the Gujarat Forest Department has monitored the tiger continuously using camera traps and field teams.

Officials have now released clear photographic evidence confirming its sustained presence within Ratan Mahal’s dense forests.

Unlike earlier transient sightings in the 1980s and early 2000s, this tiger has stayed within Gujarat’s boundaries for an extended period, an indicator of favourable habitat conditions, the magazine reported.

It quoted wildlife experts as saying that the development underlines the success of regional corridor connectivity between Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.