Gandhinagar: Sharing details with the media about the meeting of the Gujarat State Wildlife Board chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said that the state government remains firmly committed to wildlife conservation and the maintenance of ecological balance in Gujarat.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the development of major wildlife centres in the state, including the Lion Sanctuary, Bird Sanctuary, Ghudkhar Sanctuary and Bear Sanctuary, along with measures for the protection and conservation of wild animals.

He also said that Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed the Forest Department to promote eco-tourism in protected forest areas while ensuring that the growing number of tourists and visitors does not cause disturbance or harm to wildlife. Accordingly, dedicated Visitor Policy Guidelines will be prepared.

The Forest Minister expressed particular satisfaction over the recording of tiger presence in the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas during the recent wildlife census, calling it a matter of pride for Gujarat. He said the Forest Department has prepared a comprehensive plan for the permanent habitat, protection and population growth of tigers in the state.

He added that the Gujarat Forest Department is in continuous coordination with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for tiger conservation. All guidelines and measures recommended by the authority will be strictly implemented in the coming period. Along with tiger protection, special emphasis will also be placed on enhancing prey availability and habitat capacity.

The minister further stated that, with the participation of the NTCA, community-based training programmes for tiger conservation and protection will be organised for local residents in the region.

The meeting also reviewed the increasing population of leopards in Gujarat and discussed plans to identify a suitable sanctuary for leopards, including rescued animals, in the near future. DeshGujarat