In a landmark decision for wildlife conservation, Gujarat has officially been reinstated as a tiger-bearing state after 33 years. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) confirmed this inclusion in the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026, based on consistent evidence of tiger presence in the Ratanmahal Sanctuary. This pivotal move reestablishes Gujarat on India’s official tiger map, reinforcing the nation’s conservation narrative under Project Tiger.
Previously, Gujarat was last recorded in the national tiger census in 1989. During that census, forest officials identified pugmarks but could not confirm actual tiger sightings. The lack of photographic or physical evidence led to the state’s exclusion from the 1992 tiger census, which effectively removed it from the list of tiger states. Despite one confirmed sighting in 2019, which lasted only 15 days, Gujarat remained excluded from the official tiger estimation framework for over three decades.
The turning point for Gujarat occurred with the confirmed presence of a nearly four-year-old tiger in the Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary, situated in the Dahod district along the Gujarat-Madhya Pradesh border. This tiger reportedly entered the area in mid-February 2025 and has established a stable presence for nearly ten months. Continuous camera trap photographs and CCTV footage have provided strong evidence of its residency rather than mere transient movement. Consequently, the NTCA directed the implementation of tiger conservation measures in the sanctuary, facilitating Gujarat’s reinstatement.
The All India Tiger Estimation 2026, recognized as one of the world’s largest wildlife population surveys, recently commenced in Indore. Following the NTCA's decision, Gujarat will now participate in this extensive exercise for the first time since 1989. Officials involved in the census have confirmed plans for a dedicated camera-trap survey along the Gujarat-Madhya Pradesh border. As the tiger has not yet been radio-tagged, it will be tagged during the census to enable scientific tracking of its movements across state lines.
A critical aspect of Gujarat’s reinstatement is the planned application of Stripe Pattern Recognition Software, a significant technological tool under AITE. Once trained, Gujarat’s forest officials will be able to monitor the tiger’s movements not only within the state but also throughout the national tiger landscape. This initiative reflects India’s growing reliance on technology-driven wildlife conservation, integrating camera traps, AI-based pattern recognition, and real-time data sharing.
Q1. Why was Gujarat excluded from the tiger census for so long?
Answer: Gujarat was excluded from the tiger census since 1992 due to the lack of confirmed sightings and photographic evidence, despite occasional reports of tiger presence.
Q2. What evidence confirmed the tiger's presence in Gujarat?
Answer: Continuous camera trap photographs and CCTV footage provided clear evidence of a stable tiger presence in Ratanmahal Sanctuary, prompting the NTCA's decision.
Q3. What is the All India Tiger Estimation 2026?
Answer: The All India Tiger Estimation 2026 is a comprehensive wildlife population survey aiming to assess and monitor tiger populations across India, including Gujarat.
Q4. How will technology aid in tiger monitoring in Gujarat?
Answer: Technology, such as Stripe Pattern Recognition Software, will enable forest officials to track tiger movements effectively within the state and across national boundaries.
Q5. What conservation measures are being taken in the Ratanmahal Sanctuary?
Answer: The NTCA has directed the implementation of various conservation measures in Ratanmahal Sanctuary, aimed at ensuring the protection and sustainability of the tiger population.
Question 1: When was Gujarat last included in the tiger census before 2023?
A) 1989
B) 1992
C) 2000
D) 2019
Correct Answer: A
Question 2: In which sanctuary was the tiger confirmed in Gujarat?
A) Gir Sanctuary
B) Ratanmahal Sanctuary
C) Bandhavgarh Sanctuary
D) Sariska Sanctuary
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: What year did the confirmed tiger presence in Gujarat occur?
A) 2023
B) 2025
C) 2022
D) 2019
Correct Answer: B
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