Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project

[Sanju]

Here’s Why Gir Lions May Never Leave Gujarat for MP

Gujarat is the only home for Asiatic lions on the planet, and they are all concentrated in and around the Gir range. Conservation efforts in the state have helped the lion population recover from the brink of extinction to over 600 lions in 2017.
Yet, there is a risk of deadly diseases and unnatural deaths because a significant number of lions live outside the protected area of Gir. For conservationists, translocation of lions is the one stop solution to ensure that the feline population grows across the country.
However, the Gujarat government is in no mood to share its lions with any other state. In April 2013, the Supreme Court ordered Gujarat to move some lions to Kuno Palpur Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh within six months.
Five years have passed since the SC passed the order and not a single lion has been moved to Madhya Pradesh. Instead, the state government plans to spend Rs 351 crore on the latest drone and CCTV cameras, hospitals, etc for its conservation efforts.
The Quint explains why the Gujarat government is unwilling to part ways with its lions in the name of ‘Gujarati Asmita’ or Gujarati Pride.
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/gir-...of-sc-rule

Are Asiatic Lions Paying the Price for Gujarati Asmita?
Gujarat government calls Asiatic lions ‘The pride of Gujarat’, but is not willing to share its ‘pride’ with other states. In April 2013, the Supreme Court had directed the Gujarat government to translocate some lions to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary within six months.
Five years have passed since the apex court’s ruling, and the Gujarat government has brazenly violated the order. It is no secret that the Gir range is overpopulated with lions, and the big cat pays a heavy price. Last week 11 lion carcasses were found in Dalkhaniya and Jashadhar of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, followed by the death of two more lions on Monday.
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/lion...anslocated Reply