Ahmedabad: It’s a moment of great pride and pleasure that the majestic Royal Bengal tiger still roars in Gujarat. The wildlife experts have collected evidences to prove that the National Animal might still be lurking in Dang forest area of Gujarat. Though, in census of 2001 the Government of Gujarat officially declared that tigers are extinct from the State, the policemen and locals on Maharashtra-Gujarat border have witnessed presence of Tigers in the State.

Shri Parimal Nathwani, Group President of Corporate Affairs at Reliance Industries Ltd and Member of Rajya Sabha, who is also a wildlife enthusiast, has desired that the State Government should conduct a scientific study to trace and confirm presence of tigers in Gujarat.

It is likely, feels Shri Nathwani, that forest officials of Ahwa-Dang might have this information but waiting for confirmation and frequency of tigers’ cross border movement. In accordance with the website of Government of Gujarat, various kinds of animals including tiger as well live in the forest area near Mahal village of Dang district. In accordance with reports available from tiger experts with Shri Nathwani, two constables of Maharashtra Police, who have been posted on Check post of Gujarat-Maharashtra border, spotted tiger entering into Maharashtra Forest area from Gujarat’s Ahwa Forest in Dang district and going back to Gujarat Forest. The location is Zakrai Bari area, which is in vicinity of Shabri Dham Forest in Dang, falls under Range Subhir. It is believed that around 7-8 tigers are present in this area, he said.

Shri Nathwani further said that scats of wild animals, which were collected on November 2, 2016 from forest area in Maharashtra, which is in vicinity of 2-3 kilo meters from Gujarat state, also indicated the movement of the majestic animal between two states. The scats show that at least a family of five tigers – one male, one female and three cubs – is present in the area, he added.

The wildlife enthusiasts have collected GPS locations that include Chinchli Bari, Kapshi Bari and Borgadh area Forest on Maharashtra-Gujarat Border and Shabridham in Ahwa to name only a few, where the tiger movement between Gujarat and Maharashtra has been witnessed.

Shri Nathwani has requested the state government to conduct a scientific study or allow the Central Government’s investigation team/NTCA/W.I.I. to conduct study to find out presence of tigers in Ahwa area of Dang District. “It is matter of great pride that Gujarat is home of Asiatic Lions. If the evidences are to believe, we have Royal Bengal Tigers too. With presence of both – Lions and Tigers – Gujarat will become a rare destination in the world where both species of big cats are present,” said Nathwani.

He also said that both the Central Government and State should take steps for protection of the National Animal on immediate basis.

Ahwa forest area used to be the home of Royal Bengal Tigers until 3-4 decades ago. That means the biodiversity and environment of Ahwa-Dang forest, which is also supposed to be ‘Dandakaranya’ of mythological era, suits the big cat, said Nathwani.

DeshGujarat