Comments of expert Shri Lavkumar Khachar on creation of gene pools

From: LAVKUMAR KHACHAR [mailto:lavkumarkhachar@xxxxx.xxx]

Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 10:22 AM
To: info@asiaticlion.org
Subject: Re: Asiatic Lion Update

Dear Kishore,

Creating gene pools within Gujarat has been a good idea that should have been thought of and activated very much earlier. I hope the authorities now get on with the task. These discrete populations would need to be kept under "safari park" type situations so that the animals do not stray. The Barda area is not really good lion country and instead, the Alech Hills to the SE of the Barda Hills should be explored as a lion area. Also, the undulating Ramparda Vedi near Wankaner and the Hingol Gadh Motisari Sanctuary should both be immediately developed in Lion Safari Parks.

Similar Safari Parks need to be considered on the periphery of the Gir itself and the zoos at Ahmedabad and Vadodara along with the Sakar Baug of Junagadh should hold Asiatic Lions.

I have all along been against the moving of lions into the wild in other States and have wanted the Wildlife Managers of Gujarat to become absolute 'experts' in the management of Asiatic Lions. Once the roar of the Asiatic Lion is reverberating across Gujarat, discrete populations can be developed in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, but both these States first must ensure the total protection of the tigers which are not in a too happy situation there.

Please broadcast this response from me and send it onto the Forest Department.

Congratulations for the untiring work you are doing. Regards,

Lavkumar Khachar