Now focus on tiger prey base, habitat: Experts

AHMEDABAD: If Gujarat wants to be the only state in India that is home to three big cats — lions, tigers, and leopards — it will have to ensure adequate prey base in Central Gujarat and Dang and will have to prepare a plan to rehabilitate people.
“If Gujarat wants to conserve tigers, it will have to create a national park or a sanctuary spanning at least 500-800 sq km, which can house a sizeable population of tigers,” said Y V Jhala, an expert on big cats who is associated with the National Tiger Conservation Authority.“Lions can live close to people, but tigers need isolated spaces.”
Jhala said to create a sanctuary, the Gujarat forest department will have to relocate people from Dang by offering a compensation package that will persuade them to move voluntarily. He said that once the sanctuary is free of people, the department will have to ensure that the population of chital and sambhar is increased in the area.

Jhala said one or two tigers cannot create a stable population. “We need a sizeable population so that Gujarat becomes one more state needing tiger conservation,” he said. A lone tiger will not survive for long, he said.
A K Saxena, the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), said: “Even if a wandering tiger visits the state, the state will have to create habitat for it.” Saxena said the state will have to preserve the tiger corridor through which it enters the state.
Priyavrat Gadhvi, a wildlife expert and member of the state wildlife board, said: “I expect the influx of more tigers into the state over the next 10 years. The state should have trained and dedicated staff for managing the tiger habitat.” Gadhvi said that the state should have an action plan ready to handle the tiger population over the next 10 years. “We will take up this issue for discussion in the next state wildlife board meeting,” Gadhvi said.