What Are the Key Outcomes from Gujarat's 26th State Wildlife Board Meeting?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The recent meeting of the State Wildlife Board in Gujarat has sparked discussions around critical wildlife conservation strategies. Key decisions were made to enhance eco-tourism while ensuring the protection of wildlife habitats. With a notable increase in the leopard population and new tiger sightings, this meeting highlights the urgent need for community involvement in conservation efforts.
Key Takeaways
- Wildlife Conservation: Emphasis on protecting wildlife habitats.
- Eco-Tourism Management: Balancing tourism with conservation efforts.
- Community Involvement: Training programs for local communities.
- Infrastructure Development: Proposals for enhancing sanctuary facilities.
- Growing Species Populations: Notable increases in leopard and tiger populations.
Gandhinagar, Jan 21 (NationPress) The 26th gathering of the State Wildlife Board convened in Gandhinagar, presided over by Bhupendra Patel. The focus was on wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and the management of eco-tourism within Gujarat’s protected forest regions.
The session was attended by Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State for Forests Pravin Mali.
Officials reported that the Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary has been incorporated into the National Sloth Bear Conservation Programme by the Government of India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Additionally, the board learned that a tiger has been spotted in the Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary, with strong probabilities of the animal establishing a permanent presence in the area.
In light of this, discussions focused on launching community participation training programs for tiger conservation in partnership with the National Tiger Conservation Authority to involve local communities in protective measures.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring that the rising influx of visitors to protected forest areas does not disrupt wildlife habitats. He instructed the Forest Department to expedite eco-tourism projects while creating visitor policy guidelines to maintain a balance between tourism and conservation.
The meeting also addressed the increasing leopard population in Gujarat and future planning for dedicated sanctuaries for rescued and rehabilitated leopards.
Several infrastructure development proposals within sanctuaries and national parks, including roads, water supply, optical fiber connectivity, renewable energy projects, and power transmission lines, were presented to the board, with around 18 proposals under consideration for approval.
Legislators such as Mahesh Kaswala, Deva Malam, and Malti Maheshwari provided suggestions aimed at enhancing wildlife conservation efforts.
The meeting was chaired by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Jaypal Singh, with senior officials including Vinod Rao, A.P. Singh, and other high-ranking forest department officers in attendance.
Point of View
The recent meeting of the State Wildlife Board in Gujarat is a significant step toward fostering sustainable wildlife practices. Emphasizing both conservation and eco-tourism, this approach reflects a growing recognition of the importance of engaging local communities in preserving natural habitats. As always, NationPress advocates for responsible stewardship of our environment.
NationPress
22/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the State Wildlife Board meeting?
The meeting aimed to discuss wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and eco-tourism management in Gujarat's protected forest areas.
Who chaired the meeting?
The meeting was chaired by Bhupendra Patel.
What initiatives were discussed for tiger conservation?
The board discussed initiating community participation training programs in collaboration with the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
What was reported about the leopard population?
The meeting addressed the growing leopard population in Gujarat and future plans for dedicated sanctuary spaces for rescued leopards.
What infrastructure proposals were considered?
Various proposals related to roads, water supply, optical fiber connectivity, renewable energy installations, and power transmission lines were discussed.
