Gujarat regains Tiger State status after 33 years as NTCA confirms tiger presence in Ratanmahal sanctuary

Key facts

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) confirmed the presence of a tiger in the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary in central Gujarat.
• Forest officials detected pugmarks of a tiger in the Pipalgota Round of the Kanjeta Range in the sanctuary.
• Analysis of camera trap data revealed an image of a tiger captured at 2:40 am.
• The NTCA included Gujarat in the national Tiger Census and suggested steps to strengthen the ecosystem.
• The Gujarat Forest Department has increased the number of camera traps and is ensuring availability of water, prey base, security, and fire prevention.
• Prey base species such as antelopes and spotted deer were released in the area during the monsoon.
• Forest department officials will be trained in conservation and breeding of tigers.
• Attempts are on to bring a female tiger to increase the tiger population in the region.
• Gujarat has become the only state in India to host three big cat species — lion, tiger and leopard — simultaneously.