The Gujarat Forest Department has introduced 50 spotted deer into the Mandvi Forest Range in Surat district. This move is part of a long-term conservation initiative to bolster the natural prey base for carnivores, promote biodiversity, and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. The translocation, conducted 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.
This effort aligns with the state’s broader wildlife management strategy, aiming to enhance ecological balance by increasing herbivore populations in suitable forest habitats. By establishing a stronger prey base, predators can fulfill their food needs within forests, reducing the chances of venturing into nearby human settlements in search of sustenance. Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia emphasized the program’s scientific approach to wildlife conservation.
Minister Modhwadia highlighted that strengthening the natural prey base in forest habitats is crucial for minimizing human-wildlife conflicts. The Forest Department, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s guidance, is implementing science-based conservation measures to achieve this goal. The translocation, carried out under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is a part of the state’s long-term strategy to restore ecological balance by boosting herbivore populations in suitable forest landscapes.
Officials emphasized that a healthy prey base aids in keeping predators within forest habitats, reducing their movement into human-dominated areas in search of prey. This dynamic can contribute to lowering instances of human-wildlife conflicts. The translocation project builds upon existing conservation efforts in the Mandvi Forest Range, including the establishment of a spotted deer breeding center to increase local herbivore populations and enhance avian biodiversity through a jungle fowl breeding center.
