Surat, July 19 (IANS) The Gujarat Forest Department has released 50 spotted deer into the Mandvi Forest Range in Surat district as part of a long-term conservation programme aimed at strengthening the natural prey base for carnivores, enhancing biodiversity and reducing human-wildlife conflict in the southern part of the state.
The translocation, carried out under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, involved relocating the deer from the Sasan Gir Wildlife Division in three phases between May and June this year.
Twenty-one spotted deer were released on May 23, followed by 16 on June 18 and 13 on June 24.
The initiative forms part of the state’s broader wildlife management strategy, which seeks to improve ecological balance by increasing herbivore populations in suitable forest habitats.
According to the Forest Department, a stronger prey base allows predators to meet their food requirements within forests, reducing the likelihood of their movement into nearby human settlements in search of food.
Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said the programme reflects the state’s science-based approach to wildlife conservation.
He added that strengthening the natural prey base in forest habitats is a key component of efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
“Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Forest Department 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. 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,” Modhwadia said.
Officials said the initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis that wildlife conservation and development can progress together and that both people and wildlife should thrive alongside one another.
Minister of State for Forests and Environment, Pravin Mali, said a healthy prey base helps predators remain within forest habitats.
“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,” he said.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Jaipal Singh said the translocation builds on conservation measures already implemented in the Mandvi Forest Range.
These include the establishment of a spotted deer breeding centre to increase local herbivore populations and a jungle fowl breeding centre to diversify the prey base while enhancing avian biodiversity.
Conservator of Forests, Surat Circle, Puneet Nayyar, noted the department had undertaken detailed habitat assessments before releasing the animals to identify suitable locations capable of supporting the deer.
“Ten permanent water points had been developed across the release area to ensure year-round access to drinking water,” he said.
Nayyar also said a dedicated Quick Response Team equipped with modern rescue equipment has been deployed to respond to wildlife emergencies and help ensure the safety of both local communities and wild animals.
The department has also established a post-release monitoring programme.
Forest guards and trained trackers are carrying out continuous field monitoring, while strategically placed camera traps are being used to assess the deer’s movements, habitat use, health and survival.
Forest officials said the initiative is intended to strengthen the ecological resilience of the Surat Forest Division by improving the natural prey base through science-based wildlife management while supporting long-term biodiversity conservation and reducing human-wildlife conflict in South Gujarat.
–IANS
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