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Gujarat confirms tiger comeback after nine month sanctuary stay

Source:timesofindia-indiatimes ↗

Why It Matters

Crucial for regional biodiversity and environment questions in GPSC exams regarding Gujarat's protected areas, wildlife distributions, and ecological milestones.

Summary

The Gujarat government has officially confirmed the comeback of tigers to the state, evidenced by a tiger's nine-month prolonged stay in the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Mahisagar district, highlighting improving forest conservation and natural wildlife corridors.

Key Points

  • The Gujarat government confirmed the permanent comeback of tigers to the state after a tiger stayed continuously for nine months in the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary (Mahisagar district).
  • This marks a significant milestone in Gujarat's wildlife history, expanding its major carnivore profile beyond Asiatic lions, leopards, and striped hyenas.
  • The natural migration and prolonged stay indicate improving forest corridors and adequate prey base within the region.

Important Terms

Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary

A protected area located in Gujarat's Dahod/Mahisagar region, noted for its rich deciduous forests and recent historic significance as the site of a resident tiger's prolonged nine-month stay.

UPSC context

GPSC Paper 3 / Environment & Biodiversity: Tests knowledge of Gujarat's protected areas, wildlife corridors, and state conservation milestones.

Source
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

The apex federal body in India established under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, responsible for managing Project Tiger and tiger conservation across states.

UPSC context

GPSC Paper 3 / Environment & Ecology: Tests statutory bodies, wildlife protection frameworks, and national conservation policies.

Source
Gujarat Forest Department

The administrative body responsible for enforcing wildlife protection laws, managing sanctuaries, and boosting prey bases and ecological corridors within Gujarat.

UPSC context

GPSC Paper 1 & 3 / State Governance & Conservation: Evaluates state-level implementation of forestry and wildlife management strategies.

Source

Static Concepts Connected

Environment and Ecology Conservation

What are the statutory functions and composition of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)?

  • Statutory Basis: Established in 2005 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, following the recommendation of the Tiger Task Force.
  • Composition: Headed by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change as Chairperson.
  • Core Functions: Approves tiger conservation plans, evaluates management effectiveness, and coordinates the All India Tiger Estimation (Tiger Census).

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Interstate Wildlife Corridors & NTCA Oversight

    Natural migration of tigers across state borders relies on contiguous forest corridors, linking state-level sanctuary management with central NTCA oversight under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Gujarat becoming the only state with lions, tigers, and leopards will feature as a direct statement-based question in Prelims.

Linked PYQs · 2

Linked PYQs · 2

  • 2025GPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    In which state was the 'Mahabharata Vatika' featuring 37 plant species mentioned in the 'Mahabharata', set up for plant conservation?

  • 2022GPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which garden of Gujarat has the trees and plants of rare species?