Bigcats News

[Rishi]

Lion deaths: Report to Gujarat High Court

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AHMEDABAD: Earlier this year, the HC was alarmed when the government revealed in the state assembly that as many as 182 lions had died in last two months in Gujarat. It sought an explanation from the authorities on what steps they had taken for the conservation of the species.

Senior advocate Hemang Shah, was appointed an amicus curiae by a division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi, of the Gujarat High Court, to prosecute the PIL filed by the HC, over the issue of death of lions in Greater Gir.
The bench had issued notices to Gujarat and central governments after taking suo motu (on its own) cognizance of news reports.

Last month he tendered his report to court raising various questions on the government’s plans to conserve Asiatic lions in Gir and suggesting a few measures that can be taken to check death of lions from unnatural causes like electrocution, lions falling into open wells, being hit by trains & other vehicles.

He also pointed out holes in the government reports and requested the court to summon the officials to explain their mistakes, like the open-wells, that many of the big cats die after falling into, whose number was stated to be about 30,000 in the first affidavit but after as 50,517 in the second one. The government had promised the court all such wells would be covered.

Another discrepancy in the government figures was the expenditure for chain-link fencing of 81.6km of tracks, the figure do not match. By putting up chain-link fencing, the hunting area of the lion pride would be curtailed as they would not be able to cross the tracks and hunt in the area which had been earmarked by them," he said & suggested the high court should seek an explanation from the government as to whether "any feasibility study had been undertaken before putting up chain fencing".

1. Shah suggested installation of cameras and speed guns at every 500 meters to ensure vehicles passing through roads near the Gir forest do not knock down lions. It would also help authorities identify vehicles involved in knocking down lions.
2. To deter people from putting up electric fences to protect their fields and properties from wild animals, which also causes the death of lions, Shah suggested of imposing a hefty fine on erring persons.
   In addition, their electricity supply should be disconnected for six months. Also, criminal cases involving such persons should be "fast-tracked by hearing them on a day-to-day basis" without the provision of any adjournmen.
3. On the issue of protecting natural corridors from illegal sand mining in the area, the report suggested that the entire area falling within the eco-sensitive zone be declared as no mining zone. If there are any open mining pits then the same should be forthwith be filled.
   

It is expected that the suggestions listed in the report would be discussed during the next hearing of the case scheduled on October 3.

Sources:
https://www.devdiscourse.com/stop-illegal-mining-around-gir-sanctuary-to-save-lions-report-to-hc
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/lion-deaths-amicus-curiae-highlights-discrepancies-in-government-reports Reply