Gujarat to Build Two 5-Hectare Enclosures for Tigresses at Ratanmahal Forest

Gandhinagar: The arrival of a female tiger at Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary in Dahod is likely to be delayed by around three months, as the Forest Department is yet to begin constructing two fenced enclosures required to accommodate the animals. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 5 crore, is expected to be completed by February 2027.

The move aims to find a suitable companion for the lone male tiger that has been roaming the Ratanmahal forests for nearly 1.75 years. Acting on the directions of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had constituted a three-member committee headed by Dr S S Singh, a retired Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) from the Gujarat cadre and a wildlife expert.

In its report, the committee recommended constructing two fenced enclosures, each measuring around 4–5 hectares, near Sagtala village in the Ratanmahal forest, where tiger activity has been relatively high. The Forest Department is currently preparing the project design and cost estimates, and construction work is yet to begin.

The committee has recommended bringing two young female tigers, preferably siblings, from Madhya Pradesh or Maharashtra to Gujarat. Initially, the tigresses will be kept in separate enclosures or within the same compartment, while the male tiger will be housed in an adjoining area. They will be brought together only after the animals become familiar with each other’s presence and adapt to being in close proximity.

The proposed enclosures will have double-layer fencing and a double-door entry system to ensure the safety of the animals and facilitate access for Forest Department personnel. The committee has also advised finalising the designs after assessing engineering requirements and animal management protocols.

Further, a joint monitoring team comprising officials from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh has been recommended to oversee the process and conduct regular reviews before the two tigresses are relocated to Gujarat.

The young male tiger, which reporteldy migrated to Gujarat from Madhya Pradesh, has been regularly using the Ratanmahal forest area. Its presence was first consistently recorded in the state in February 2025. Since then, the Forest Department has been monitoring its movement through camera traps and field surveillance.