Will Girnar be included in vulture count?

11-05-2010
Will Girnar be included in vulture count?
Times of India By Himanshu Kaushik
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?showST=true&login=default&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&GZ=T&Daily=TOIA&AW=1273551413781

The volunteers who have been entrusted the responsibility of the vulture count in the state cried foul over the exclusion of the volunteers from the Girnar area.

This has raised doubts on whether the census would cover the Girnar region at all. The area is important as the Girnar ropeway project, which is referred to the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is still pending clearance. Union minister Jairam Ramesh is to visit the area, to examine whether the project was a hindrance in the conservation of the vultures in the area.

Volunteers said that officials have clearly directed the volunteers to keep out of the area saying the count would be conducted by the officials of the forest department.

However, CN Pandey, director Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation said, "This area has a good number of lions and vehicle movement is restricted so we have to seek permission. We have directed forests department staff to take up the count."