The Gujarat government is upbeat after reports surfaced that the population of the Asiatic lion in the state has increased from 359 to 411. But the euphoria was short-lived as more than 130 lions reside outside the 141 square kilometre reserved forest of Gir.
Concerned about their safety, the Central government wants them to be shifted to Kanha sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh. This is not a one-off thing. Earlier too, about 33 per cent lions of Gir have been settled outside the sanctuary. Two years ago, the state was rocked after three incidents of poaching had been reported in Gir sanctuary.
But this time, the authorities insist that they are working overtime for the safety of these lions and there is no need to worry. For the last two years, no poaching incidents have been recorded from the area. The safety of the lions that reside outside Gir has become a top priority for the government, authorities, environmentalists and the locals. According to the Asiatic lion census 2010, carried out in the sprawling expanse of the greater Gir, many lions have settled on areas about 100 kilometre away from the sanctuary. Official sources say lions that live outside the sanctuary prey on local animals. They kill two animals of herdsmen (Maldhari in Gujarati) everyday.
A member of legislative Assembly (MLA) from Junagadh Bhagwanbhai Barad says: “Earlier the government implemented an eco-development scheme for the Maldharis of Gir. The purpose was to settle these shepherds outside the sanctuary so that lions don’t get distracted. But when the shepherds moved out of the forest, the lions also followed them in search of new habitat.”
Concerned about their safety, the Central government wants them to be shifted to Kanha sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh. This is not a one-off thing. Earlier too, about 33 per cent lions of Gir have been settled outside the sanctuary. Two years ago, the state was rocked after three incidents of poaching had been reported in Gir sanctuary.
But this time, the authorities insist that they are working overtime for the safety of these lions and there is no need to worry. For the last two years, no poaching incidents have been recorded from the area. The safety of the lions that reside outside Gir has become a top priority for the government, authorities, environmentalists and the locals. According to the Asiatic lion census 2010, carried out in the sprawling expanse of the greater Gir, many lions have settled on areas about 100 kilometre away from the sanctuary. Official sources say lions that live outside the sanctuary prey on local animals. They kill two animals of herdsmen (Maldhari in Gujarati) everyday.
A member of legislative Assembly (MLA) from Junagadh Bhagwanbhai Barad says: “Earlier the government implemented an eco-development scheme for the Maldharis of Gir. The purpose was to settle these shepherds outside the sanctuary so that lions don’t get distracted. But when the shepherds moved out of the forest, the lions also followed them in search of new habitat.”
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