Gujarat Re-enters India’s Tiger Map After Three Decades

More than thirty years after being removed from India’s official tiger range, Gujarat has been formally recognised again as a state with tiger presence. The decision follows confirmed photographic evidence of a tiger residing in the Ratanmahal Sanctuary in Dahod district. Gujarat will now be included in the All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026, marking a significant milestone in the state’s wildlife history.

Confirmed Tiger Presence in Ratanmahal Sanctuary

Forest officials confirmed that a nearly four-year-old tiger has been occupying the Ratanmahal Sanctuary for close to ten months. The animal began moving along the Ratanmahal–Madhya Pradesh border in mid-February and has since established a stable range within the forest. Continuous camera-trap images and CCTV footage have ruled out the possibility of a transient visit, demonstrating sustained habitation in the area.

NTCA Directive and Census Preparations

The National Tiger Conservation Authority issued a formal letter directing tiger conservation measures in Ratanmahal following verification of evidence. An official camera-trap census will now be conducted along the Gujarat–Madhya Pradesh border as part of the AITE 2026, which commenced recently in Indore. The tiger, currently untagged, will be radio-collared during the census to enable long-term monitoring using stripe-pattern identification software.

Gujarat’s Long Absence From Tiger Census

Gujarat last featured in the national tiger census in 1989, when pugmarks were recorded without any direct sightings. The state was excluded from the 1992 census, leading to its removal from India’s tiger map. Since then, only one confirmed sighting was reported in 2019, but that tiger survived for merely 15 days. Officials say the current case is fundamentally different due to the animal’s prolonged and documented presence.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• The All-India Tiger Estimation is conducted every four years under NTCA supervision.
• Ratanmahal Sanctuary is located in Dahod district of eastern Gujarat.
• Tiger tagging uses stripe-pattern software for nationwide movement tracking.
• Adequate prey base is essential before declaring a tiger reserve.

Future Plans and Cross-Border Monitoring

Officials will also survey Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh, an area frequently visited by the Ratanmahal tiger, to assess the presence of a female tiger. Gujarat has formally sought NTCA assistance to designate Ratanmahal as a tiger reserve. Any proposal for tigress translocation will depend on a detailed assessment of ungulate populations to ensure sufficient prey availability and long-term viability of the habitat.