Bigcats News

[jeets]

(10-30-2015, 12:59 AM)Apollo Wrote: Centre refuses to give money for conservation of lions


The last month's flood in Gujarat killed 10 Asiatic lions in two districts at a time when the central government refused to release more money for conserving these animals.

As per the 2010 lion census, the total number of these big cats stood at 411 in Gujarat. Two months ago, another round of the five-yearly lion census began. The 2005 count was 359 lions.

The ongoing census will cover Amreli, Porbandar, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Gir-Somnath and Botad districts. Apart from the 1,800 sq km sanctuary area, which includes Gir Sanctuary, Gir National Park, Paniya, Mityalaya and Girnar sanctuaries, another 23,200 sq km area outside the sanctuary will also be covered in the counting.


The loss of lions comes less than three months after the Union Environment Ministry refused to sanction Rs 135 crore to Gujarat for conserving these animals in their only home in India.

The state had submitted a Rs 150 crore plan for consolidating long term conservation of Asiatic lions and sought 90 per cent funding from the Centre. The ministry rejected the proposal on the ground that funds are not available. Two years ago, Gujarat had submitted a Rs 262 crore proposal that also received approval from the Planning Commission. But the central support was nominal.

http://m.deccanherald.com/content/489093/centre-refuses-give-money-conservation.html/

Idiot Journalist don't know census finished and numbers are given on May11 i.e, 523.

About funding,it is a minor issue if center is not given funds state may provides (or) center may assume that plan is useless and so they declined by saying 'no funds'.Gujarat Lions are safe and sound in 10+ years they may reach 900 easily then state will give-away lions to other states even without asking.

Then we will see the real JUNGLE LIONS.  (as except Gujarat&Rajasthan rest of India has lush jungle's)  Reply