Wildlife experts believe releasing the two females in different parts ofthe male’s territory could increase the chances of an encounter withthe male and eventual breeding
The proposal follows a 30-page report submitted by a panel constituted by the Union ministry of environment and forests, which found Gujarat suitable for translocating female tigers. The recommendation to bring two tigresses instead of one is based on the movement patterns of the nearly four-year-old male tiger, which has been roaming the Ratanmahal sanctuary landscape spanning Dahod, Chhota Udepur and Sagatala since entering Gujarat in Feb 2025. Bids have been invited for the installation of CCTV cameras and camera traps, with around 1,100 CCTV cameras planned to be installed by the end of Nov. Gujarat’s tiger revival efforts received a boost in Dec 2025 after confirmed sightings and photographic evidence from Ratanmahal sanctuary led to the state’s inclusion in All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026. NTCA subsequently directed conservation measures in the sanctuary, while the 2026 tiger census is expected to provide a clearer assessment of the animal’s presence in the region. The state had earlier announced plans to bring a tigress in Nov 2025, but the proposal reportedly stalled at the verbal discussion stage, with no formal request submitted.
Principal chief conservator of forests Jaipal Singh also confirmed receiving the report. The surveillance network is expected to help forest officials monitor the movement of the resident male and any newly introduced tigresses. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Ahmedabad | Silver Rate in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Petrol Price in Ahmedabad | Diesel Price in Ahmedabad | CNG Price in Ahmedabad | LPG Price in Ahmedabad Stay updated with the latest Ahmedabad news.
Confirming the development, H S Singh said, “A report has been submitted to Gujarat govt and Union ministry of forests and environment. Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s most eligible striped bachelor may soon have not one but two prospective mates, thanks to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) playing matchmaker. The state’s resident male tiger, which has been roaming the forests all alone, could be joined by two tigresses from Madhya Pradesh in Dec. Forest officials hope the attempt will set the stage for tiger breeding and pave the way for the big cat’s comeback in a state where its roar has not been heard in decades. The report also lays down protocols for the exercise. The panel, headed by H S Singh, a former member of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) and its standing committee, included wildlife scientist Dr Bilal Habib and N V Kale, assistant inspector general of forests with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Wildlife experts believe releasing the two females in different parts of the male’s territory could increase the chances of an encounter with the male and eventual breeding. Under the proposal, officials could release one tigress near Chhota Udepur and the other near Sagatala. Both are expected to be close in age to the male tiger. We have found Gujarat suitable for the translocation of female tigers. Meanwhile, the forest department is strengthening surveillance across the landscape ahead of the proposed translocation. The male tiger has already established a territory spanning the Ratanmahal sanctuary landscape. The presence of prey species such as nilgai and wild boar was also considered when assessing the area’s suitability to support a tiger population. The latest report has revived the initiative, this time recommending two females to improve the chances of establishing a breeding tiger population in Gujarat. Download the TOI App.