Gujarat Re-enters India’s Tiger Map After Three Decades

Overview: Gujarat has officially re-entered India’s tiger map after more than three decades with the confirmation of a resident tiger in Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary. The National Tiger Conservation Authority included the state in the All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026. This marks a significant success in habitat restoration and wildlife protection.

Riyaz

Dec-29-2025

Gujarat Re-enters India’s Tiger Map After Three Decades

The re-entry of Gujarat into the tiger map in India has been officially registered, marking over 30 years since it was last included in the map, thus a significant milestone in conservation. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) confirmed that a resident tiger exists in the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary in Dahod district. Thus, the state was included in the All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026 census. Gujarat had since lost the tiger status following its local extinction by the late 1980s and lacked a local population in the following censuses. The sight and sound of a tiger indicate an increase in the habitat conditions and a long-term protection of forests. In this development, Gujarat is the only state in India to have lions, leopards, and tigers in the wild.

Why Gujarat’s Return to India’s Tiger Map Matters

Conservation win of the year: Gujarat has been re-established as a tiger-preserving state after over three decades, which has been a big milestone towards the conservation of wildlife.
The biodiversity gains of India: The state is currently the home of all three big cats-tiger, lion, and leopard, thus making it an important ecological zone.
Improved habitat recognition: Inclusion in the All-India Tiger Estimation census shows that there has been an improved quality of habitat and management of forests.
Enhanced protection measures: The turn puts an emphasis on efficient surveillance, camera-trap records, and scientific confirmation.
Prospects: It clears the way to establish new tiger reserves, increase the power of corridors, and the conservation territory of the big cats in India.

Previous Year Question for Tiger Reservation

Exam Name	Year	Question	Answer
UPSC Prelims	2020	Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under Critical Tiger Habitat? (a) Corbett (b) Ranthambore (c) Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam (d) Sundarbans	Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam
UPSC Prelims	2012	Consider the following protected areas: Bandipur, Bhitarkanika, Manas, and Sundarbans. Which are declared Tiger Reserves?	Bandipur, Manas, Sundarbans
SSC CGL Tier-I	2020	In 2020, which of the following tiger reserves won the TX2 Award for increasing the tiger population? (a) Periyar (b) Pilibhit (c) Ranthambhore (d) Sariska	Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
SSC GD Constable	2021	Which tiger reserve bagged the first-ever international TX2 award for doubling tiger numbers ahead of the target period?	Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
UPSSSC Lower PCS	2019	Which of these tiger reserves is situated in Uttar Pradesh? (a) Sariska (b) Amangarh (c) Jim Corbett (d) Panna	Amangarh Tiger Reserve (UP)

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Conclusion (Gujarat Re-enters India’s Tiger Map)

A key success story on conservation is the reintroduction of Gujarat in the Indian tiger map after 30 years. It mentions the efficient restoration of habitat, its surveillance, and protection activities. The achievement empowers the biodiversity of India, improves the ecological value of the state, and supports the already underway wildlife conservation efforts, which gives other regions the idea to use similar policies to preserve big cats.