Dahod: A tiger that has been residing in the Ratanmahal forest area of Dahod district for over a year has now been considered a permanent presence by the Gujarat Forest Department. As part of preparations to introduce a tigress and boost the state’s tiger population, a five-member expert team from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will conduct a three-day training programme from April 16 to 18.

The training will be held at Dhanpari Ecotourism site in Jambughoda, where over 60 forest officials and staff, including Assistant Conservators of Forests, Range Forest Officers, and beat guards from Dahod, Panchmahal, Chhota Udepur, and Devgadh Baria, will be trained in tiger monitoring, care, and habitat management.

The tiger’s arrival in Ratanmahal completed one year on February 22, 2026. Having stayed in the region for more than a year, the animal is now treated as a regular inhabitant, marking a significant development for wildlife conservation efforts in Gujarat.

In a parallel move to increase tiger numbers in the state, a proposal has been submitted to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) seeking approval to bring a tigress into the region. Officials said preliminary discussions are underway regarding the source location of the tigress, and an NTCA team has already conducted a site visit.

During the training sessions, WII experts will guide officials on scientific methods of tracking tiger presence, identifying individual animals, and managing habitats. Special emphasis will be placed on handling tiger movement, ensuring prey availability, and minimizing human-wildlife conflict.

With rising temperatures, the forest department has also created water sources across the habitat to support the tiger during the summer.

Role of WII in Wildlife Conservation

The Wildlife Institute of India plays a crucial role beyond academic research. Its experts are involved in wildlife conservation, training, and advising governments on ecological management.

Each tiger can be uniquely identified by its stripe pattern, which is used in population estimation through camera traps installed in forests. These devices automatically capture photos and videos when a tiger passes by.

In addition, GPS collars are sometimes fitted on tigers to track their movement via satellite, helping authorities understand territory range and behaviour. DNA analysis using samples such as hair, blood, or scat is also employed to establish identity and lineage.

These scientific tools collectively aid in conservation planning and reducing human-tiger conflict. DeshGujarat