Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project

[Sanju]

Parliament panel seeks experts’ opinion on Gir pride relocation

Days after a Government report suggested the creation of a second home for the Asiatic lions from Gujarat's Gir forest, a Parliamentary panel too has recommended that wildlife experts may be consulted for exploring the option of relocating/shifting some of the lions in nearby areas or other sanctuaries outside the state.

The panel, headed by Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma, in its report 'status of forest fire', observed that lion population in the Gir forest is decreasing due to one reason or the other.

"There are many unprotected wells; lions sometimes fall down in these wells, electrocution due to wired fences around the farms made for wild herbivores, Road and Rail Accidents, Poaching leading to their deaths. Frequent fights amongst the lions, overpopulation of Carnivores including leopards besides lions and man-animal conflicts can also be attributed for reduction in number of lions..," said the report tabled in Parliament recently.

Asiatic Lions are listed in the Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, thereby according them the highest degree of protection.

Warning that lions can go the tigers' way as happened in Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve a few years ago where poaching of big cat was "going on unabated and consequently, Sariska had become tiger less a few years back," the panel "noted" that a real effort was made to populate it again. (Same thing can be done to Kuno's Lion Reserve)

The Committee hopes that unprotected wells of all wildlife sanctuaries/national parks of the country including the Gir Forest in Gujarat would be covered properly in order to save the wild animals (not only lions) falling into these wells and losing their lives.

In the wake of 23 lion deaths within a very short span of time i.e.., September- October, 2018, the panel had sought status report from the Union Environment Ministry asking for the reason for fatalities.

The Committee also expressed its concern that infighting amongst the lions of Gir forest, Gujarat might be due to over population of the lions in specific areas.

Quote:The Committee recommends that wild life experts may be consulted for exploring relocating/shifting some of the lions in nearby areas/other sanctuaries outside Gujarat.

The suggestion echoes the views of the report, 'Asiatic Lion Conservation Project', which was released by Union Environment Minister Dr Harshvardhan on February 9, which said that among other conservation measures,"the Government may consider the establishment of a second home for Asiatic Lions for securing the population from any threat of disease or epidemic or any natural catastrophe or disaster like forest fire, floods, cyclones, earth quakes etc.., or "international or civil war".

The report had noted that the current rate of development-induced habitat fragmentation, loss of potential lion habitats and linking corridors owing to natural calamities triggered by climate change, illegal sand and limestone mining, timber or teak smuggling besides poaching and poisoning of prey carcasses plague the lions conservation, which are presently confined in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Still Illegal Lion shows for rich outsiders by greedy locals baited with infected animals, lion baiting and harassment with chickens and illegal filming are not curbed which are on rampant scale against administrative laws (even political leaders are doing that like taking selfies).

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