Parliament Question: Sightings of tigers in Gujarat

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 713 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026 Sightings of tigers in Gujarat 713. SHRI PARIMAL NATHWANI: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the number of instances in which tigers have been sighted in Gujarat outside their traditional habitats during the last five years; (b) the details of such sightings, including locations, dates and numbers of tigers observed, year- wise since 2020; (c) whether any conservation measures, including corridor development or monitoring, have been initiated to protect the tigers; (d) whether Government has conducted any scientific assessment to ascertain whether these sightings indicate permanent habitation or dispersal from neighbouring States; and (e) whether any proposal exists to notify or develop new tiger habitat or corridor in Gujarat, in view of such sightings? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) & (b) As reported by the State, one tiger has been consistently observed since February 2025 in the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary. (c) The State Government of Gujarat has initiated necessary conservation measures to protect the tigers which inter alia include intensive monitoring, habitat and prey base management, and movement-based protection measures within and around the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary. (d) Yes, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has conducted a scientific reconnaissance survey in Gujarat and submitted its report to the State. (e) No such proposal has been received from the State of Gujarat. *****