High alert around Gir range on poaching anniversary

28-2-2008

High alert around Gir range on poaching anniversary

Indian Express By Sibte Hussain Bukhari

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/High-alert-around-Gir-range-on-poaching-anniversary/278365/

Junagadh, February 28 The forest department has geared up to check incidents of poaching in and around the Gir Forest. As the first anniversary of the infamous Gir poaching incidents approaches, a high alert has been sounded across the range against a possible repeat of the last year’s acts.

According to BP Pati, deputy conservator of forest (Gir west), “A high alert has been sounded in and around the Gir forest. Apart from regular check post, three more permanent checkposts have been erected on three different strategically important points.”

It was on March 3, 2007 that the carcasses of three lions were found in the forest. The lions were killed by poachers in the Babaria range falling under Gir West Forest division. And it was just the beginning of a string of daredevil poaching acts that rocked the range during the previous year.

In an open defiance to security clamped by the state government, poachers repeated their dastardly act 26 days later. On March 29, three more lions were killed in the same area of the forest sending the forest department into a tizzy. And before the department could chalk out any action plan to check such incidents, two more lions were killed on April 12 — this time in the revenue area, on the outskirts of Bhandariya village near Jesar town in Bhavnagar. With this third major poaching incident in nearly a month and a half, the very existence of the last surviving group of Asiatic lions looked in danger.

An stung forest department was really clueless about the whole affair even as Chief Minister Narendra Modi air-dashed to Sasan — the prime hub of lions — to take stock of the situation. Call it a result if a relentless effort or sheer chance, the day the chief minister visited Sasan, the Junagadh police nabbed 21 alleged poachers, including seven women, allegedly responsible for the Gir incidents. Later, the Bhavanagar police also arrested 17 people, including seven women, while they were planning their escape. All of them belonged to the Parghi tribes from Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district. Poaching is their main occupation. All of them are still in custody and their bail pleas have been repeatedly rejected — first by the trial court and then on January, 2008 by the Gujarat High Court.

When contacted, conservator of forest (wildlife) Bharat Pathak said, “Intensified patrolling and checking of migrant labourers working in agriculture fields in the area surrounding the forest is going on round the clock.” He added that in a bid to keep a close watch on any suspicious movement in the revenue area adjoining the forest, some 200 villagers had been pressed into service after being appointed as ‘friends of wildlife’.

“Soon, 100 more people would be added to this group. A series of village meetings have been organised as a part of people’s awareness programme and village heads have been asked to keep extra vigil in their respective area,” he said.

JS Solanki, deputy conservator of the forest (Gir East), said: “We will not allow the repetition of the last year’s incident. Random checking at any place surrounding the Gir Forest is going on. Besides, we have also been effectively using mobile checkposts in our strategy.”

81 lions dead in last 2 yrs

28-2-2008

81 lions dead in last 2 yrs

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/81_lions_dead_in_last_2_yrs/articleshow/2823223.cms

NEW DELHI: A total of 81 lions have died across the country from January 2006 to 2008, with nine of them becoming victims of poaching, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

Fifty two lions died a natural death, 1 because of an accident and 6 due to electrocution while 13 fell in a well and 9 lions died because of poaching in Gir protected area and surrounding habitats of Gujarat.

Out of th 6 lions electrocuted, five of them died in Permpara village, outside the Gir Protected Areas in October 2007.

Investigation shows that a farmer had laid electrified wire fencing his agriculture land to prevent crop damage from wild herbivores, Minister of State for Environment and Forests S Regupathy said.

Answering a separate question on declining population of endangered animals including lions, tigers and elephants, Regupathy said fluctuation in the wildlife population is a natural phenomenon.

As per the information available there are no reports to indicate a continuous sharp decline in the population of endangered species, he said.

The minister said, "census of gharials are conducted on a regular basis and is not done for the first time."

Two lions attack, injure farm labourers in Junagadh

28-2-2008

Two lions attack, injure farm labourers in Junagadh

Indian Express By Sibte Hussain Bukhari

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Two-lions-attack-injure-farm-labourers-in-Junagadh/278001/

Junagadh, February 27 Two lions injured three labourers who were working in an agriculture field on the outskirts of Devala village falling under the Sarasia range near Dhari in Gir east forest division on Wednesday morning.

According to a forest official, nine migrant labourers from Rajasthan were busy with their work in a field owned by a local farmer Jayanti Savalia.

Around 8 am, a pair of lions passed through the field, prompting them to run helter-skelter. The provoked lions attacked labourers — Dhanji Parghi and Valji Parghi, both residents of Kajalia village in Rajasthan.

After injuring the duo, the lions attacked one Kadvabhai Vekaria, who was busy cutting wheat crop. Vekaria received injuries on his neck and the left portion of the body, the official added.

As soon as the news reached the forest authorities, officials from Dhari forest headquarters rushed to the spot with emergency medical service ambulance.

They provided the injured with primary treatment before shifting them to a government hospital in Dhari town.

Deputy conservator of forest (Gir east) J S Solanki said, “The labourers received minor injuries. After providing medical treatment at Dhari, they were discharged from the hospital.”

“The labourers said they saw a group of five lions. However, the pug marks of the animals indicate there were only two lions,” he added.

Leopard caged in Shergadh Village

23-02-2008

Leopard caged in Shergadh Village

Gujarat Samachar (Briefly translated from Gujarati)

A Leopard had come into the agriculture farm of Shambhu Chimanbhai Patel in Shergadh village, about 15kms from Keshod in Gir West. This Leopard was regularly sited around this village. Farmer reported about the leopard to Range Forest Officer V K Pathak. After painful efforts, leopard was caged successfully.

Herd of buffaloes fight with six lions to save the owner

23-02-2008

Herd of buffaloes fight with six lions to save the owner

Gujarat Samachar (Briefly translated from Gujarati)

An incidence has been reported where a heard of buffaloes fought with pride of six lions to save life of its owner at Syness village of Dhari Taluka in Gir East.

Two maldharis (shephards) were grazing their cattle (40-50 buffaloes) in grazing fields on outskirts of Syness village. A pride of six lions attacked the cattle in vein and had to run away when buffaloes attacked back in protection.

Leopard enters man's house in Khareda in Gir West

25-02-2008

Leopard enters man’s house in Khareda in Gir West

Times of India Ahmedabad Edition

Rajkot: One more incident of a wild animal entering in human habitat was registered near the famous Gir forest on Saturday late night, as a leopard entered in a house situated in Khareda village, on the edges of the forest around 20 km away from Una town in Junagadh district.

Sources said the leopard entered in the fenced open plot of a house owned by one Bhanabhai Kalabhai Parmar, where his cattle was kept. When the family members heard the noise of cattle, they woke up and locked the gate and informed forest officials.

Leopard caught from Junagadh sheep pen

25-2-2008

Leopard caught from Junagadh sheep pen

Indian Express By Sibte Hussain Bukhari

Junagadh, February 24 A Leopard took shelter in the sheep-pen of a shepherd in Fareda village, some 20 kms from Una town in Junagadh district, on Friday. It stayed there the whole night, preyed on a goat, before being caged and shifted to the forest area, the next morning.

According to reports, a leopard, which was roaming in the village around midnight, entered Bhana Parmar’s house and preyed on a goat in the adjoining shed. Hearing some commotion Parmar went inside the pen and saw the big cat preying on a goat. He somehow gathered courage and closed the door of the room.

He then immediately informed the forest officials.

In the morning, foresters from the Babaria range reached the spot and managed to trap the animal. It was shifted to a safer place in the Gir forest later. However, before the big cat was safely caught, Parmar and his family had to spend a sleepless night what with a leopard lurking in their premises.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, three lions reportedly preyed on a donkey in Aambecha village near Malia town of Junagadh district. Sources said that the lions killed a donkey belonging to one Bhanabhai, a potter. Forest sources said that owners of the dead animals, in both cases, would be compensated.

Poachers kill spotted deer (in Gir Forest)

25-2-2008

Poachers kill spotted deer (in Gir Forest)

Indian Express By Sibte Hussain Bukhari

Junagadh, February23 In less than a year, Gir forest is again under serious threat from poachers. A series of incidents of poaching and attacking forest guards inside the sanctuary have surfaced now. On Friday evening, three poachers had killed one spotted dear and attacked two forest guards in the Jawantri area under the Jamwala forest range in Gir west forest division, of whom one was seriously wounded. After the incident, the three tried to flee from the spot, but by Saturday noon, two of them surrendered before the Talala police.

When contacted, deputy conservator of forest (Gir-west) B P Pati confirmed the incident, saying, “Two forest guards heard the sound of gunfire during routine patrolling. They immediately rushed towards the direction of the sound and saw three locals moving around with countrymade guns.”

According to Pati, the forest guards tried to overpower the poachers, but in the process one guard, identified as Bhavesh Bakotra (30) was seriously injured, while another guard identified as A P Dokal was threatened at gunpoint. Later, the three poachers escaped from the scene.

Pati said Dokal immediately informed his superiors about the incident with his cellphone. Forest officials rushed to the spot soon after and hospitalised the injured forest guard, whose condition was reported to be critical at the time of admission. He is now out of danger, though.

Meanwhile, according to a confirmed report, two out of three poachers have surrendered before the Talala police. The duo has been identified as Kalu Jumma Dafer, a resident of Jawantri village, and Abdul Dafer, a resident of Sangodra village. It is significant that Sangodra and Jawantri are both located on the periphery of Gir forest. The police have arrested both the accused.

Bakotra has lodged complaints against the three with the Talala police under Sections 307 (attempt of murder) 186 (preventing government official from performing official duty) and 332 (physically assaulting on-duty government official), of the Indian Penal Code. The three have also been booked under various provision of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 rule 9, 2 and 51.

According to Pati, the killing of wild animals in the forest area is a serious offence, liable to punishment with imprisonment between three to seven years and fine or both.

According to police and forest sources, both Kalu and Abdul have admitted that they have killed a spotted dear, though the carcass is yet to be recovered. A manhunt has also been launched to nab the third poacher while police authorities have grilled the two and their further interrogation is awaited.

"Locals from the Dafer (a Scheduled Tribe) community are involved in this crime. Many from this community are habitual poachers of herbivores, particularly deer or blue-bull. The community members generally take shelter in an isolated area far from human habitat. They are spread throughout Gujarat, but their prime profession is to provide protection to standing crops in the agricultural area," said sources.

Rs 40-crore scheme sanctioned by the state government

Kishore Kotecha’s Note:

On 22^nd Feb 08, I requested to Finance Minister through Times of India Budget Ho To Aisa for sufficient fund allocation for Gir and Asiatic Lion protection. On 25^th, budget was declared by FM in which 40 Crore rupees are allocated for the same. Three cheers!!!

 

26-02-2008

DEKHO DEKHO KAUN AAYA...

Times of India Ahmedabad Edition

A special Rs 40-crore scheme has been sanctioned by the state government for five years, for Gujarat State Lion Conservation Society to initiate measures to protect Gir lions. Of the total amount, the Govt. has allocated Rs 12 crore in budget 2008-09

 

22-02-2008

Lions want their share

Times of India Ahmedabad Edition

The issue of protection of wildlife does not normally get priority in Budgets. Considering that the Asiatic lion is an endangered species the FM should considering allocating funds. Here is so much to be done, especially when poaching is becoming a big concern. Lot of initiatives like rehabilitating indigenous people settled within the Gir sanctuary and creating alternative homes for the lion can be taken.

Budget Ho To Aisa: It is a good initiative. I hope the finance minister will take note.

Kishore Kotecha | PRESIDENT, WILD LIFE CONSERVATION TRUST, RAJKOT |

How brutally they kill tigers....

Look at the below attached pictures. There can not be more brutal way!!!
Did 8 lions poached in March - April 2007 meet such merciless death?
Together lets save our Wildlife..Wherever your are staying on this planet
please help in conservation of nature around you.

Note: forwarded message attached.
Bring your gang together - do your thing. Start your group. To:
fun_and_fun_only@yahoogroups.com From: irsmailz@gmail.com Date: Tue, 12 Feb
2008 07:47:18 +0530 Subject: [FFO] How they Do ( Weak hearted persons don't
watch this)

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

Gene pools to conserve Asiatic lions

14-2-2008

Gene pools to conserve Asiatic lions

Times of India By Himanshu Kaushik

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Ahmedabad/Gene_pools_to_conserve_Asiatic_lions/articleshow/2780974.cms

GANDHINAGAR: In a bid to strengthen its case of not shifting Gir’s Asiatic lions to Madhya Pradesh, the state government has initiated a move to create three gene pools to conserve the genetic diversity of this endangered wild cat.

Pradeep Khanna, additional principal chief conservator of forest, said that creating these gene pools was a part of a long-term planning to save the Asiatic lions. One gene pool each will be formed in Rampara Virdi, about 40 km from Rajkot, in Sakkarbaugh Zoo of Junagadh and Hingolgadh in Jasdan taluka of Rajkot district.

"There are two ways of conservation - one, within the environment and second, bringing the animal out of the environment and conserving the genetic diversity. The gene pool will have 10 to 20 animals per pool," said Khanna.

These pools will help in conserving lions outside the protected environment. The move has also been necessitated considering the fact that if the entire population of Asiatic lions is confined to just one area, they would be highly vulnerable to any kind of biological, climactic or man-made catastrophe. A major disaster within the Gir could wipe out the entire subspecies at a stroke.

Likewise, a disease outbreak could decimate the lion population. Measures are also being taken to correct a little known biological imbalance concerning the Asiatic lion.

They said that around 50 wild cats would be shifted to these gene pools. This would again ease the burden on Gir sanctuary, which has around 359-odd lions. The capacity of Gir was just 250-270-odd lions and with these three gene pools, it would definitely reduce the burden. Officials said that the gene pools would also be a breeding ground for the Asiatic lions and there is a possibility that 10-12 pairs of animals would be kept in these gene pools.

The Central government is already pressing hard for shifting the lions from Gir to Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

Requesting anonymity, forest department officials said that the decision to create gene pools was taken by the department to counter Centre’s move to shift the lions from Gujarat.

Three Asiatic Lions roar above a terrace of residence

06-02-2008

Three Asiatic Lions roar above a terrace of residence

Gujarat Samachar (Briefly translated from Gujarati)

It looks as if lions now want to permanently stay near una town. Yesterday night lions killed one cow in samadhiyala village and a calf in Bediya village; both in una taluka. Yesterday night lions attacked three cows Ex-sarpanch Puna Govind Ahir’s house and killed a calf. After the kill, three lions climbed on the terrace of his house and started roaring. Villager mob gathered and lions ran to the forest.

It another incidence a pride of lions, killed a stray cow behind house of Korat Pragji Naran in his farm in Mota Samadhiyala village.

Lions roam freely In Four villages near Gir

06-02-2008

Lions roam freely In Four villages near Gir

Divya Bhaskar (Briefly translated from Gujarati)

A pride of about five lions killed 10 sheeps & goats in Amrutpur village of Dhari Taluka. The incidence happened in the house of Manga Maldhari. In another incidence, a lone lion killed a buffalo of prabhatpur village of Junagadh Taluka.

Rs 600 crore for tiger, no allocation for conserving lion

06-02-2008

Rs 600 crore for tiger, no allocation for conserving lion

Times Of India Ahmedabad Edition

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOIA&login=default

Gandhinagar: The clamour over poaching of eight lions last year notwithstanding, the Central government has not made any marked budgetary allocation in the 11th Five-Year Plan for programmes concerning lions’ conservation in the state. A three-member Central team had also visited Gir Sanctuary to assess the problems faced in conservation there.

This, even as the budget for Project Tiger, aimed at conserving this fast-diminishing animal has been enhanced over four times to Rs 600 crore. Sources in the state forest department said the Central government had also decided to create eight new reserves in the country. The Centre will spend Rs 600 crore in the 11th plan on protecting the tiger, whose numbers in India have gone down dramatically in the last f ew ye a r s, mainly because of poaching. In the 10th Five-Year Plan, Project Tiger had a budget of Rs 150 crore only. However, Gir, the only abode of Asiatic Lion in the world, has got no fund allocation.

Officials said that after the three-member committee rushed to Gir last year, there were hopes that more funds will be allocated for lion conservation. But this has not happened. They said that under the 11th plan, lion conservation will get regular funds under the management and training head, but there will be no allocation for their conservation as in the case of tiger.

However, a top official in the Union forest and environment ministry justified the decision saying there is a conservation authority for tigers, hence, the funds were allocated.

“There is no such authority formed either by the Centre or the state government under which the allocation could be done,” he said. Moreover, the cost of rehabilitation of people near tiger reserves has shot up nearly 10 times to Rs 10 lakh from around Rs 1 lakh, and hence, enhancing the allocation for Project Tiger was essential.

The official claimed that the Gujarat government has not towed Central government’s line on relocation of Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh because of which the Centre was not too keen to help the state.

Meanwhile, activists in the state are planning to write to the Centre to allocate funds for lion conservation. Kishore Kotecha of Wildlife Conservation Trust said, “The Central government is not keen on lions’ conservation that is why they are only sending teams. We will write to the prime minister to pay more attention towards lions’ conservation also.”

Leopard falls in well near Gir

08-02-2008

Leopard falls in well near Gir

Gujarat Samachar (Briefly translated from Gujarati)

Yesterday a leopard fell in 80 feet deep well in farm of Mulabhai Jivabhai Parmar near Kodinar by-pass. Forest department rescued the animal after hard efforts of 3 hours.

Lion family kills two calves

09-02-2008

Lion family kills two calves

Divya Bhaskar (Briefly translated from Gujarati)

A pride of lions killed two calves which were chained behind the farm house in Vad Viyada village of Una Taluka.

People roped in to save Gir lions

1-2-2008

People roped in to save Gir lions

Indian Express By Sibte Hussain Bukhari

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/People-roped-in-to-save-Gir-lions/267787/

Junagadh, January 31 In A bid to air the message to conserve and preserve the last surviving group of Asiatic lions, the Forest Department along with environmentalists, organised a 'Lion Safety March' in the Gir forest.

The two-day march started at Dedakiyali village adjoining Gir on January 28 and covered the villages of Ambala, Amarapur, Sarkari, Jalodar, Dudhala, Vadiya, Bhojde and Dhamlej before culminating at Veraval city a day later, with people extending their unflinching support towards saving the big cats.

Assistant Conservator of Forest (Girnar Range) P S Babaria said, "The march started from Dedakiyali village where around 1,500 people had assembled. We appealed to them to cover the parapet-less wells, to remove live wired fences, as also to remain alert while dealing with interstate labourers."

He said the message of saving the lions, which are "invaluable ornaments of this region" was well received by the villagers. As such, without the support of the local people, particularly villagers, the Forest Department would not be able to preserve them, he said.

Members of the Kodinar-based NGO, Prakriti Parivar Trust, also joined the march and played an active role in creating awareness about the lions.

Dinesh Goswami, the trust president, said, “The march was mainly aimed at connecting our culture with nature. People here strongly believe in their religion and value their culture. So, to spread our message, we concentrated on the strong values of our culture and religion.”

“We told them that lions are our assets and it is our cultural as well religious duty to preserve them. We have received tremendous response from people of all walks of life,” he said.