Sanctuary (of Asiatic Lion) ups security after TOI sting

6 Apr, 2007

THE TIMES OF INDIA By-Ramesh Tankaria

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Ahmedabad/Sanctuary_ups_security_after_TOI_sting/articleshow/1862809.cms

 

JAMWADA, JUNAGADH: On March 19, a three-member TOI team accompanied by a beat guard had entered the Gir sanctuary through the Jamwada checkpost and exited from the Dalkhaniya checkpost after dropping off the beat guard midway.

 

Nobody checked their vehicles or enquired about the missing beat guard. The report, published on March 20, had highlighted how easy it was to get inside the only abode of the Asiatic lion in the world and exit with your paraphernalia loaded inside a vehicle.

 

Forest officials jumped to action after this shocking report was published and visited the area, seeking an explanation from the beat guard who was on duty.

 

On Thursday, another TOI team was pleasantly surprised to be thoroughly checked and asked why they were late in coming out of the Dalkhaniya gate.

 

On being told that they had been to Banej, the guard said, "Sir, we usually do not harass visitors, but last month the 'Times-wala' had come and I did not check their vehicles. They wrote it in their paper and the chief conservator (Bharat Pathak) came here and issued me a memo."