Gandhinagar: In a wildlife conservation initiative aimed at improving ecosystem health and mitigating human-wildlife conflict, the Gujarat forest dept has translocated 50 spotted deer (Axis axis) from the Sasan Gir Wildlife Division to the Mandvi forest range in Surat district.An official statement said the initiative is intended to strengthen the natural prey base for carnivores, enhance biodiversity, and support long-term ecological balance in South Gujarat. The translocation was carried out in three phases between May and June this year. A total of 21 spotted deer were released on May 23, followed by 16 on June 18 and another 13 on June 24, taking the total number relocated to 50“The forest dept is implementing a range of science-based conservation measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Strengthening the natural prey base in forest habitats is a key component of this strategy,” forest minister Arjun Modhwadia said in the statement on Sunday.The translocation, carried out under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is part of the state’s long-term efforts to restore ecological balance by increasing herbivore populations in suitable forest landscapes, the minister said.“A healthy prey base enables predators to meet their food requirements within forest habitats, reducing the likelihood of their movement into human-dominated areas in search of prey. This, in turn, can help lower the incidence of human-wildlife conflict,” said Pravin Mali, minister of state for forest and environment.The statement added that to strengthen conflict response mechanisms, the department has also deployed a dedicated Quick Response Team (QRT) equipped with modern rescue equipment to respond promptly to wildlife emergencies and ensure the safety of both local communities and wild animals.Before the translocation, forest officials carried out detailed habitat assessments to identify sites capable of sustaining the released animals. To ensure year-round water availability, the department developed 10 permanent water points across the release area, providing reliable drinking water for the deer.
