Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s most eligible striped bachelor may soon have not one but two prospective mates, thanks to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) playing matchmaker. The state’s resident male tiger, which has been roaming the forests all alone, could be joined by two tigresses from Madhya Pradesh in Dec. Forest officials hope the attempt will set the stage for tiger breeding and pave the way for the big cat’s comeback in a state where its roar has not been heard in decades.The proposal follows a 30-page report submitted by a panel constituted by the Union ministry of environment and forests, which found Gujarat suitable for translocating female tigers. The report also lays down protocols for the exercise.The panel, headed by H S Singh, a former member of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) and its standing committee, included wildlife scientist Dr Bilal Habib and N V Kale, assistant inspector general of forests with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).The recommendation to bring two tigresses instead of one is based on the movement patterns of the nearly four-year-old male tiger, which has been roaming the Ratanmahal sanctuary landscape spanning Dahod, Chhota Udepur and Sagatala since entering Gujarat in Feb 2025.Wildlife experts believe releasing the two females in different parts of the male’s territory could increase the chances of an encounter with the male and eventual breeding. Under the proposal, officials could release one tigress near Chhota Udepur and the other near Sagatala. Both are expected to be close in age to the male tiger.Confirming the development, H S Singh said, “A report has been submitted to Gujarat govt and Union ministry of forests and environment. We have found Gujarat suitable for the translocation of female tigers.”Principal chief conservator of forests Jaipal Singh also confirmed receiving the report.Meanwhile, the forest department is strengthening surveillance across the landscape ahead of the proposed translocation. Bids have been invited for the installation of CCTV cameras and camera traps, with around 1,100 CCTV cameras planned to be installed by the end of Nov. The surveillance network is expected to help forest officials monitor the movement of the resident male and any newly introduced tigresses.The male tiger has already established a territory spanning the Ratanmahal sanctuary landscape. The presence of prey species such as nilgai and wild boar was also considered when assessing the area’s suitability to support a tiger population.Gujarat’s tiger revival efforts received a boost in Dec 2025 after confirmed sightings and photographic evidence from Ratanmahal sanctuary led to the state’s inclusion in All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026.NTCA subsequently directed conservation measures in the sanctuary, while the 2026 tiger census is expected to provide a clearer assessment of the animal’s presence in the region.The state had earlier announced plans to bring a tigress in Nov 2025, but the proposal reportedly stalled at the verbal discussion stage, with no formal request submitted. The latest report has revived the initiative, this time recommending two females to improve the chances of establishing a breeding tiger population in Gujarat.
