Gujarat is actively working to establish a permanent tiger habitat within its borders, Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia announced on Thursday, 14 May, at the lion conservation pre-event of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit-2026 held at Sasan Gir in Junagadh. The push follows confirmed tiger sightings in the Ratanmahal Sanctuary region, signalling a potential expansion of the state's big cat portfolio beyond lions and leopards.

Key Developments at Sasan Gir

The pre-event was organised by the Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry as the first in a series of thematic programmes ahead of the IBCA Summit, scheduled for 1 and 2 June in New Delhi. Addressing delegates at Sasan Gir, Minister Modhwadia confirmed that tiger presence had recently been recorded at Ratanmahal Sanctuary and said the Forest Department was actively working to make that presence permanent. 'Efforts are being made to ensure that tiger habitation becomes permanent on the land of Gujarat,' he said.

Cheetah Introduction and Barda Sanctuary Progress

Beyond tigers, Modhwadia disclosed that the Forest Department was also preparing groundwork for the possible future introduction of cheetahs in the state — a move that would make Gujarat one of the few states hosting three or more big cat species. He also highlighted the emergence of Barda Sanctuary in Porbandar district as a second habitat for Asiatic lions, describing the spread of lions into the Barda region as evidence of long-term conservation success.

Gujarat's Lion Conservation Record

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who inaugurated the programme virtually from Gandhinagar, cited a striking statistic: Gujarat's lion population had risen from 284 in 1991 to approximately 891, a more than threefold increase attributed to sustained conservation efforts and proactive forest management. The Chief Minister credited the progress to policies shaped under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of his own administration.

What the IBCA Summit Will Cover

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who attended the Sasan Gir event in person, noted that India is home to five of the seven globally recognised big cat species. He said the IBCA Summit would convene global leaders, scientists, wildlife experts, and stakeholders to deepen international cooperation on wildlife conservation. IBCA Director S.P. Yadav presented the alliance's mandate and outlined the global distribution of big cats — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma — reiterating that five are found in India.

Pre-Events Across India

The Sasan Gir lion conservation event is one of several thematic pre-events being held in different states before the main summit. Similar programmes are planned on cheetah conservation in Bhopal, leopard conservation in Bhubaneswar, snow leopard conservation in Gangtok, and tiger conservation in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. A brochure highlighting wildlife conservation efforts at Sasan Gir was also released at the event, attended by senior forest officials and state government representatives.

With the IBCA Summit less than three weeks away, Gujarat's announcement on tiger habitation adds a new chapter to the state's conservation narrative — one that could reshape India's big cat geography.