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Rajkot to regain its roaring glory
Nimesh Khakhariya | TOI | Updated: Dec 15, 2020

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RAJKOT: In all likelihood, Rajkot could join the list of Gujarat districts which Asiatic lions have made their permanent abode.
In the last one year, four different prides have ventured into the district, mostly from adjoining Amreli; the latest one of a lioness and two sub-adults that are sauntering on the city’s outskirts.

The phenomenon of back and forth movement, experts say, clearly shows the strong possibility of lions establishing their permanent settlement somewhere in Rajkot.
Bhavnagar is the biggest example of such a phenomenon. A decade ago, small prides of lions that ventured out of Gir were intermittently spotted in the district. However, nearly 76 lions have made a permanent home in various parts of Bhavnagar, including its coastal areas.

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Priyvrat Gadhvi, a wildlife expert, said the felines are regaining their lost territory. “In the past, the lions were seen in Rajkot and this dispersal is an encouraging sign.”

Books detailing the history of Rajkot and Saurashtra mention that a considerable population of lions thrived in forested areas of the district nearly a century ago.
The lioness and two sub-adults seen near Aji dam ventured here from Dhari in Amreli district and have been camping in the villages adjoining Rajkot city for nearly a month now.

According to forest officials, there are three routes that lions are using to reach Rajkot. One is from Girnar to Gondal, another from Bagasara to Gondal villages and third from Babra to Jasdan and Vinchhiya.
Since November 2019, three other prides have been recorded in the district and their killings along with pug marks were found. Reply