King's family goes astray from pride land

27-10-2008

King’s family goes astray from pride land

Indian Express By Parish Joshi

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/kings-family-goes-astray-from-pride-land/378813/

 

Rajkot, October 27 Villagers near Gondal town spot lion, lioness and two cubs

A pride of lions, including two cubs, has come out of their natural habitat in the Gir Forests and reached the outskirts of Gondal town in Rajkot, some 150 kilometres away. A few years ago, one lion had reached the Kotda Sangani village after crossing several grasslands.

The news of the transit of the big cats from the forests to a human habitation has now raised the eyebrows of environmentalists.

Rajkot Deputy Conservator of Forest G.S.Wadi said the villagers of Panchyavadar informed them that some wild animal had killed cow and a calf at two different places near Gondal town. “First we thought it must be a leopard or a hyena, but when our forest team reached the scene, it was confirmed that this was the handiwork of a lion pride. Some villagers also confirmed that they saw a lioness and two cubs near their fields. From the pugmarks, our team has confirmed a lion, a lioness and two cubs."

Conservator of Forest Bharat Pathak said: “After we were informed by the team of the Rajkot DFO, we sent in two teams, one from Junagadh and one from Dhari, to catch the pride. Till Sunday night, our teams were following the lions. We will catch them soon. We are assuming that this pride must have come from the Dhari-north side forest.” “A week earlier, we had received information that this pride was located somewhere near the Bhesan area. Our teams have set two cages near the Gondal town on the Jamkandorna Road. Until now, the animals have not attacked any humans; just made two-three kills in the vicinity of Gondal,” Pathak added.

Incidentally, after news spread that a pride of lions has come into the area, people started gathering enthusiastically in a bid to see the big cats, which is now causing inconvenience to the foresters to sight and catch them.

Lion couple killed a camel calf

28-10-2008

Lion couple killed a camel calf

Divya Bhaskar

Briefly translated from Gujarati

 

Incidence is reported near Ratneshwar near Jafrabad. Owner is Rambhai Bhopabhai (cattle grazer).                     

Lions regaining lost territory, getting closer to city

28-10-2008

Lions regaining lost territory, getting closer to city   

Times of India By Himanshu Kaushik

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Lions_regaining_lost_territory_getting_closer_to_city_nbsp_nbsp/articleshow/3647292.cms

 

AHMEDABAD : Roar of the Asiatic lion is no longer heard only at Sasan Gir. The majestic beast is now pacing leisurely in Porbander, Mahuva and Talaja in Bhavnagar,  Diu, Rajula, Kodinar and Gondal. It seems to be inching closer to Ahmedabad, and, this phenomenon is only going to increase, say experts.  

 

History books and government records reveal there were lions in these areas in the early 1900s. Former chief conservator of forests, GA Patel, says: "Whats happening is not surprising. Lions are just regaining old territory lost to human habitation."

 

In the past, lions were found in entire Saurashtra, not only Junagadh and part of Amreli. With human population increasing, area available for them shrunk and they were forced to move out, he explains.  

 

In 1936 census, lion population was cited as over 300. It dropped to around 260 and the pride of Gujarat was confined to Sasan and nearby areas. Says conservator of forests, Bharat Pathak, "A major reason for this was forests being cleared for cultivation." Another official says movement of lions in their natural corridor was hindered not just by farming, but also because in pre-independence era nawabs used to permit hunting forcing the beasts to stay confined to one area.

 

"Lions were present in Gondal and Jetpur in the past and are going back to those areas," confirms HS Singh, chief conservator of forests, research.  

 

Lion population has risen to 359. The 2005 census showed that over 55 lions had moved out of the protected area. But, the figure is higher. A senior officer says there are only 240-odd lions in Gir and the remaining are out of the sanctuary.

 

"Lions need open territory, thats why theyre moving out. Though they sometimes come into conflict with locals, within the radius of five km from Gir Sanctuary, they are accepted by people and are not feared," says former principal chief conservator of forests, Sanat Chauhan. Lions need savana grass, but Gir is fast turning out to be a dense forest becoming inhospitable for the big cats. An officer from Gir west says, "Lions love an easy catch. But, its tough for them to chase prey in forests. They are forced to move into nearby villages." Also, as Maldharis have moved out, prey base has fallen.  

 

Revtubha Raijada, former member of State Wildlife Board, says an adult lion with his pride needs over 40 sq km area and number of adult lions has risen. Gir is proving too small for them. "In the last couple of censuses, it has been noticed that population at Gir has remained stagnant at around 280. The rest of the lions are moving in the open," he says.

 

 

Barda Dungar, Jesar new homes

Fear that lions will be moved out of Gujarat is motivating state government to take quick action for relocation. It has realised how important it is to increase  protected sanctuary area.

 

Alternative homes at Barda Dungar in Jamnagar and Jesar are being developed and attempts are being made to increase prey base there. In fact, Barda Dungar has been notified as a sanctuary and lions will be shifted there in next couple of years. Forest department has already prepared a Greater Gir Project. It has declared Girnar and Mityala as sanctuaries. Officials say several areas should also be declared as conservation reserves. Here, the department will improve human habitat as well as  protect lions.  

 

Jesar is also a natural corridor for lions heading out of Gir. Officials say it is being suggested as an another home for lions because of Shretunji river flowing by and a dam in the vicinity.

 

Lion pride still not caught

28-10-2008

Lion pride still not caught

Divya Bhaskar

Briefly translated from Gujarati

 

A cholared lioness with her three cubs have come near Gondal (about 50-60 kms from Gir East). They are still not caged. Their last location as per forest officials is between Daiya and Anida villages.

Lions spotted near Gondal after a century

27-10-2008

Lions spotted near Gondal after a century

Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Flora__Fauna/Lions_spotted_near_Gondal_after_a_century/articleshow/3644431.cms

 

AHMEDABAD: In a rare incident, four lions - a lioness and three cubs - have been spotted near Gondal, 37 km from Rajkot. Such an event last happened in the early 19th century.

 

However, after that there has been no sign of lions straying to this area, which is around 20 km from Sasan Gir.

 

These lions have also killed cows in Panchiyavadar village, after which panic spread among villagers.

 

Forest department teams have been rushed to rescue these lions and bring them back to Sasan, where they will be released once again into the jungle.

Matchbox did poachers in

26-10-2008

Matchbox did poachers in

Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Matchbox_did_poachers_in/articleshow/3638365.cms

 

Ahmedabad: It was a matchbox found from the scene of crime that led to the arrest of 20 accused involved in poaching of Asiatic lions. About eight lions were poached in Junagadh and Bhavnagar district in March and April last year. Talking to reporters, investigating officer and inspector general of police Keshav Kumar and principal chief conservator of forest Pradeep Khanna said during probe, police officials found a matchbox from the crime spot.

 

Detailed investigation revealed that this brand of match was available only in Madhya Pradesh. The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) authorities were contacted and it was found that the accused belonged to Behaliya tribe from Madhya Pradesh. Based on information and discription given by WPSI, a combing operation was launched and the culprits were caught. During interrogation, a fresh claw of lion was found from their possession. When they were further grilled, a shirt was recovered which had stains of blood on it. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) confirmed that it was lion blood.

 

Further, when the hands of the accused were washed, some blood in their nails was also traced. Analysis revealed that this was also blood of Asiatic lions. FSL director JM Vyas said the spear which was found from them also had lion blood. He added that the modus operandi was simple a trap was laid and once the animal fell into it, a spear with methyl parathion was inserted in its mouth, killing the lion. The bones were then taken away and sold in the international market. Kumar further said that the bones of lion and tiger were similar and hence they were not easily distinguishable. With no tigers around, lion bones were sold in the market.

 

Bones of one lion was estimated to be around Rs 50 lakh in the international market. Khanna said that apart from taking other measures like procuring latest equipment, the forest department had also organised women sabhas which had helped it to get feedback from people and also entailed peoples participation. He said there were two convictions in less then 15 days.

 

After going through the judgment, the officials would take a legal opinion and appeal for enhancing the sentence, which was just three years, he pointed out. BOX Prabhakar is lynchpin of trafficking racket Notorious poacher from Karnataka Prabhakar Keshav Gajakosh (50), who was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a Junagadh court, along with 19 others, for his involvement in the killing of seven Gir lions, is a lynchpin of an international network of wildlife traffickers. Closely linked with Sansar Chand, the notorious Madhya Pradesh poacher, Prabhakar was on the run since 2000. He had been evading arrest in several cases, including one related to the laying of a jaw-trap for capturing a royal Bengal tiger in Nagarahole National Park. Prabhakar was picked up from his Haliyal residence in Uttara Kannada district on December 13, 2007. The Karnataka CID forest cell and Gujarat police also recovered skins of a tiger, 21 leopards and 43 otters from his place. Besides, several passports were recovered from him.

20 get 3 years imprisonment

24-10-2008

20 get 3 years imprisonment

Divya Bhaskar / Gujarat Samachar

Briefly translated from Gujarati

 

This news has been published by many other news papers and also on this blog. Still few points may have not been missed out by them. So I am giving brief points as published by two local Gujarati news papers Gujarat Samachar and Divya Bhaskar.

 

Divya Bhaskar

 

• This is the first of its kind case where 20 poachers have been given imprisonment.
• This case is of 6 lions killed last year near Morsupda area near Babariya.
• Chief Minister of Gujarat Shree Minister also visited scene of offence (I think this may also be first time that top level like Chief Minister) visit the site.
• The case was handled efficiently by IG-CID (again state level top rank officer) Shree Keshav Kumar.
• 21 were arrested from river bed in Una. Out of which one died in the jail and rest 20 are found guilty.
• Respected Judge of Junagadh court who passed this order is Shree P. K. Makwana (my personal thanks to him.)
• The culprits were found guilty under sections 9, 11, 51, 2(1), 2(14), 2(16), 9(27), 29 and 31 of Wildlife Protection Act – 1972.
• Lion blood and hairs were traced by Forensic Science lab (FSL) from cloths, nails and weapons of four culprits. This was very much helpful in proving the case.
• FSL had camped three times at the scence of offense for collecting evidence.

 

Gujarat Samachar

 

• the main leader Ujjwal Gurjar is still not caught.
• Monsari, wife of Ujjwal is caught but says she does not know about Ujjwal's where about.
• Total imprisonment is for 3 years out of which they have already spent about 18 months during the case. Now after 18 months they will be released.
• Apart from six lions poached at Babariya, other two were killed at Bhanduria in Bhavnagar district.
• CM visited the site on 06/04/07 and at that day only these 21 were caught from Una.
• After the incidence Govt. of Gujarat declared package of 40 crores for Gir.
• The accused had white powder, which is Methyl Paratheon as per FSL. This was also used in killing.
• 03/03/07 three dead lions were found and 30/03/07 other three were found.
• The main evidence that helped to prove the case were 37 personal statements, two Nails clothes with lion blood stains.
• Names of convicted are Kuntarsing Nankasing, Mojarsing, Mumtaz Katarsing, Monsari (Wife of mainaccused ujjwalsing), Derbal, Sanajibai, Sarojbai, Jagranbai, Gulbadan, Ramkali, Sevubai, Balak Kuttarsing, Dularsing, Godgon, Gulta, Ram Kumar, Junglosh, Darshan Kattarsingh, Sarkaslal.

Girl mauled by leopard in Talala

24-10-2008

Girl mauled by leopard in Talala

Times of India

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOIA&login=default&AW=1224837763828

 

Junagadh: A four-year-old girl was picked up by a leopard from streets of Umreti village near Talala. Her half-eaten body was traced and used as a bait to cage the leopard, half- anhour later.

 

Daksha Vadher was playing when the leopard attacked. The eight-yearold male leopard took her 70 meters off into a sugarcane field, as traced from the pugmarks and blood.

  

"The leopard had pounced on the girl and killed her immediately," said assistant conservator of forest (ACF) RD Katara. "We knew that it will come back to eat the remaining part of the body, so as soon as we got the call at 8.30 pm, we reached there and placed a cage in a foliage next to the girl's body." The leopard was caged by 10.30 pm. "The leopard has been kept for observation at Sasan," said Katara.

19 get 3-year jail for killing six Gir lions

24-10-2008

19 get 3-year jail for killing six Gir lions

Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/19_get_3-yr_jail_for_k illing_ Gir_lion s/arti cleshow/3634748.cms

 

RAJKOT: In a rare conviction, a Junagadh sessions court on Thursday sentenced 19 poachers to three years rigorous imprisonment for killing six lions  in Gir's Babaria forest range in March 2007. The poachers were also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 each.

 

The judgment comes more than a week after a Dhari (Amreli) court sentenced a farmer to three years imprisonment for causing death of a lioness and two cubs. The trio had died after coming in contact with the electrified fencing of the farmer's field.

 

A forest official said the department would appeal against the lower court's order and seek an increase in the prison term under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

 

The poachers were arrested from the banks of Una River in Junagadh where they had set up a base. They are tribals from MP's Katni district and notorious for poaching tigers. They had turned their attention to the lions recently.

 

In the 124-page order, judge P K Makwana has given some gruesome details on how the wild cats were killed. The gang used a crude contraption as a spring trap to capture the lions. Once the trap used to catch the the lions by their legs, the poachers used to pounce on them with bamboo spears to ensure swift killing. The dead animals were then skinned and their bones and claws carried away in air-tight bags.

 

''This is a landmark judgment,'' said Nitin Desai of Wildlife Protection Society, Nagpur. ''These are professional poachers and could have wreaked havoc in Gir. Like tigers, we believe that lion bones are being used in China to make a special wine.''

Junagadh court holds 21 guilty in lion poaching case

24-10-2008

Junagadh court holds 21 guilty in lion poaching case

Indian Express By Sibte Husain Bukhari

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Junagadh-court-holds-21-guilty-in-lion-poaching-case/377393

 

Junagarh, October 23 : A Junagadh court on Thursday convicted all the 21 accused in a case of poaching of six Gir lions and sentenced them to three years imprisonment. It also imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000 each, failing which they will serve additional three months in prison. One convict, Berbai (70), had died during the trial that ran for 18 months.

 

All the convicts belong to Madhya Pradesh and are associated with the Parghi gang, notorious for poaching.

 

The incident had occurred in the Babaria range falling under the Gir West forest division in Junagadh. Three lions were killed on March 3, 2007 and the rest were slaughtered on March 29.

 

Among those convicted, 10 are men and the rest are women. They were arrested on April 18, 2007 and sent to the Junagadh jail on April 25. After an 18-month trial, the court of the additional judicial magistrate found the accused guilty. Judge R K Makwana passed the verdict.

 

The Junagadh police had registered the case under sections 429 and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code and under various provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Those convicted include kingpin Sarkas Lal, Kuntarsinh, Mojersinh and 17 others. All are residents of different villages falling under Khandwa, Panna and Hoshangabad districts of Madhya Pradesh.

 

Earlier, the incident had created quite a stir in Gujarat, so much so that even Chief Minister Narendra Modi had rushed to Sasan (Gir) to take stock of the situation.

 

After initial investigation, the case was handed over to CID (Crime).

 

According to D J Wanakar, Superintendent, Junagadh District Jail, there are 18 minors aged below six who are in jail along with their parents.

 

Now, the convicts will be packed off to various jails in the state. "The 18 months time period, which the convicts had spent in the Junagadh jail, will be deducted accordingly from three years imprisonment," he said.

Three yrs rigorous imprisonment and fine for electrocuting five lions

15-10-2008

Three yrs rigorous imprisonment and fine for electrocuting five lions

Indian Express By Sibte Husain Bukhari

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/three-yrs-rigorous-imprisonment-and-fine-for-electrocuting-five-lions/373566/

 

Junagarh, October 14 Five lions were electrocuted on the outskirts of Prempara village on October 19, 2007

 

The Dhari town Judicial Magistrate (First Class) court has sentenced the prime accused in the electrocution case of five lions, to three years rigorous imprisonment and levied a fine of Rs 30,350.

 

Two co-accused, have been fined while the time spent by them in judicial custody before they obtained bail, have been considered as their punishment. The fourth accused has been released as no evidence was found against him.

 

According to the details of the case, five lions were electrocuted on the outskirts of Prempara village near Dhari town on October 19, 2007. The Incident occurred at a stone's throw away from the Gir East headquarters.

 

In a bid to save his standing crop, prime accused Durlabhji Vadodariya had passed electricity through the wired fencing surrounding his field. A group of five lions came in contact with the live wire fencing and were killed instantly. In a bid to destroy evidence, Vadodariya then buried the carcasses in his fields with the help of his son Purushottam Vadodariya and two others, namely a tractor owner and a tractor driver.

 

The Forest Department intensified its search when they found that five lions were missing and arrested four people for their involvement in the killing of the big cats.

 

The four were booked under various provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. At that time, in charge, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Gir East) J S Solanki and his team had busted the case and submitted the same in the JMFC court and monitored it till the judgment was delivered on Monday.

 

Solanki, said: "Yet, they have not received a copy of the judgment. But further action will be decided upon receipt of the same."

 

According to primary details of the judgment, Purushottam and the tractor driver have been fined Rs 250 and 150 respectively, while the period they passed in jail during their judicial custody have been considered as the punishment period. The tractor driver has been set free. The JMFC court delivered the 150-page verdict within a year of the incident. The trial was on for 11 months.

3-yr jail for killing 5 lions

14-10-2008

3-yr jail for killing 5 lions

Times of India

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOIA&login=default&AW=1223975608437

 

First Conviction In A Case Of Lion Killing

 

Dhari: In a landmark judgment, a court in Dhari village of Amreli district sentenced three persons to jail for electrocuting five lions.

 

Durlabhji Vadharia, a farm owner in Prempura, where the lions were electrocuted on October 19, 2007, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, while his son Parsottam got one-and-ahalf months' jail term. The third accused, Ravji Hirani, was given a twoand-a-half months' imprisonment for destroying evidence. Another accused, Bhala Parmar, was acquitted in the case.

 

Terming it as a historic verdict, chief conservator of forest Bharat Pathak said, "This is the first conviction in a case of lion killing. There have been few convictions in the past in poaching and killing of other protected animals. This judgment will send a stern message to miscreants." Judicial magistrate IL Pathan found the three persons guilty under various Sections of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Vadharia.

 

Three lionesses and two cubs were electrocuted by a barbed wire and their carcasses were found buried in Vadharia's field. He had dug a three-feet deep and 10-feet wide pit and put the carcasses in it. To cover up this act, he put fertiliser in the pit so that the carcasses decomposed faster.

 

Forensic experts found marks of electrocution on three carcasses.

 

Vadharia had confessed before the investigating officer that the animals were killed and he had connected the barbed fencing to an electricity source to protect his cotton crop from stray animals. All the body parts and claws were intact which ruled out poaching intent.

Lioness and Leopard die in Open Well incidence

14-10-2008

Lioness and Leopard die in Open Well incidence

Divya Bhaskar

Briefly translated from Gujarati

 

Two separate incidences have been reported in Divya Bhaskar Gujarati daily.

 

In one incidence we lost a healthy lioness due to Open Well accident at Aanjani village near Sutrapada(Sutrpada falls outside Gir area). Along with a calf was also found dead inside the well which means lioness must be on hunting prowl. Guj. Forest Dept. RFO K. R. Vaghasiya got the bodies out and sent it for postmortem at Sasan. Well was in Rambhai Danabhai Pampaniya's compound.

 

In another heart-breking incidence, carcass of 9-10 year old leopard was recovered from open-well in Bagdu village near Junagadh. The Open Well was 60ft deep with water in farm owned by Gordhan Vaghasia. Body was postmortemed on the spot and burnt.

WWF pitches in to save Gir lions

13-10-2008

WWF pitches in to save Gir lions

Times of India By Nayan Dave

 

Rajkot : World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is planning to bring about awareness about the importance of the lion in the lives of those living on the fringes of the Gir forest. WWF will appoint a person to reach out to the villagers.

 

Speaking to TOI Dr Diwakar Sharma, associate director of WWF said conservation of Asiatic lions would be difficult without participation of people living nearby. Issues like barricading wells, which cause accidental deaths of lions, poaching of lions and also conservation of flora and fauna will be discussed with locals. Efforts will be made to persuade them on how it could change their lives.

 

Adds Sharma, Gir forest is known across the globe because of the lions found here. This brings thousands of foreign tourists, this translates into employment generation in Sasan and nearby villages. Secondly rivers originating from the forest flow southward making areas in their path prosperous.

 

It is worth mentioning that WWF has adopted 400 wells for barricading and spent around Rs 25 lakh. Barricades have already been Constructed in 110 wells in association with Rajkot based NGO Wildlife Conservation Trust(WCT), which has barricaded around 1,100 wells in the Gir area. Around 9,000 open wells in Gir have been declared dangerous for Asiatic Lions. "For this purpose corporates like Reliance, Tata and Ambuja have come forward and adopted around 3,000 wells," said Kishor Kotecha of WCT. 

Lion located after 10 days search

12-10-2008

Lion located after 10 days search

Divya Bhaskar

Briefly translated from Gujarati

 

A male lion was reported sick in Babariya area in Gir East few days back. Forest department staff was trying hard to locate this lion for treatment. Finally they succeeded yesterday. The lion was located near Batheswar Temple and had maggots in its forehead. As it could not be caged using bait, officers had to dart tranquilize it.

This Navratri, Forest Dept tells a musical tale of conservation

08-10-2008

This Navratri, Forest Dept tells a musical tale of conservation

Indian Express By Shubhlakshmi Shukla

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/This-Navratri--Forest-Dept-tells-a-musical-tale-of-conservation/370832

 

Vadodara, October 07 Sasan Gir Maan Garje Sawaj, Dala Matthe Vanraj. Ache Hariyalu Gujarat. Game, Game Upwan shobe. Chede, Cheda Ugya Jhad. Ache Hariyulu Gujarat…

"In Sasan Gir roars the lion with long mane, this is green Gujarat; where every village flaunts a garden, every corner a tree, this is green Gujarat…" goes the song penned by Natwar Hadau Gujarat Ecological Education Research (GEER) Foundation and District Forest Officer (DFO) C N Patel. It is one of the many songs that have become popular in Junagadh and Bhavnagar districts, this Navratri.

 

For the first time in Gujarat, the state Forest Department has struck a different chord to spread awareness about the flora and fauna of the state during the ongoing Wildlife Week.

 

They have distributed more than 100 CDs containing garba songs in all the forest circles in the state and even a few garba organisers in Gandhinagar.

Gir is lion of all sanctuaries in state

11-10-2008

Gir is lion of all sanctuaries in state

Times of India

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOIA&login=default&AW=1223726394921

 

Ahmedabad: Of four national parks and 22 sanctuaries in Gujarat, Gir in Junagadh and Nal Sarovar in Ahmedabad district top the popularity charts among visitors. The state tourism department seems to have failed to market sanctuaries in other parts.

 

According to official data, Gir Asiatic lion forest reserve alone has attracted 66 per cent of tourists in Gujarat and over 80 per cent of total foreign tourists visiting the state. Officials said that if the data of Nal Sarovar and Thol bird sanctuaries and Gir are put together, other sanctuaries in the state have just attracted seven per cent of the domestic tourists visiting Gujarat for wildlife tourism.

 

Forest officials say that the only reason why there are not many visitors at other sanctuaries is lack of infrastructure and not many people are aware that these exist.

Besides, the Devalia interpretation zone for Asiatic Lions and Sasan Gir fall in the pilgrim circuit of Somnath and Diu, for those wishing a boozing break. Officials also say that Sasan Gir is a hot favourite among Amdavadis. "Rest of the sanctuaries are isolated and it is only nature lovers from the state who visit these sanctuaries."

 

Bharat Pathak conservator of forests (Junagadh) says, "A detailed analysis is required. But the immediate reasons are the popularity and good infrastructure in Sasan Gir. The other attractions are also the large variety of birds found here.'

Sloth bear beckons, 3 hours away

11-10-2008

Sloth bear beckons, 3 hours away

Times of India By Himanshu Kaushik

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOIA&login=default&AW=1223726394921

 

Many wildlife spots for Amdavadis lie unexplored

 

Ahmedabad: According to an estimate, over 80 per cent of Amdavadis who prefer nature tourism would rather go to Gir in Junagadh district than Jessore sloth bear sanctuary in Banaskantha district.

 

Camp organisers say camps for Gir are usually fully booked. Madhu Menon of Anala Camps, says, "Eighty per cent of the people from Ahmedabad prefer going to Gir sanctuary." The reason is that there is lack of public awareness about wildlife. For the people of Ahmedabad, wildlife means just big cats like lions or to some extent, the wild ass. Menon says there is an immediate need to change the concept. He says that there is hardly any infrastructure in place at sanctuaries other then Gir. "People visit Nal Sarovar only because of its proximity."

 

Manisha Rajput of Aruvi Foundation says, "We had simultaneous camps in Gir and Jessore. While Gir was booked in just a couple of days, there were hardly any takers for Jessore." Rajput says that Gir is more famous and people aware of the Asiatic lion while there's not much awareness about other sanctuaries.

 

Gulabsinh Jethwa of Sundarvan says,"Gir sanctuary has been in the news and is also being widely publicised by state tourism department but there's little awareness about other sanctuaries." Also, there is better road connectivity to Gir as also better infrastructure,which other sanctuaries usually lack.

 

Tourism officials say that Amdavadis prefer going to places where the infrastructure is good.Accommodation facilities at other sanctuaries are limited.

Leopard-Lion Death

11-10-2008

Leopard-Lion Death

Gujarat Samachar

Briefly translated from Gujarati

 

A carcass of male leopard was found near Bhidbhajan temple in Navagam village near Bilkha. Primarily it is presumed that death is due to fight between carnivores. The body is sent to Sakkarbag zoo for postmortem.

 

Whereas, a 10 year old lion, was brought for treatment on 20/05/2008 at Jasadhar Animal care centre. It could not recover and died.

MP wants lion's share of Gujarat's pride

07-10-2008

MP wants lion's share of Gujarat's pride

Manoramaonline.com

http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-  bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=4598108&programId=1073754912&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL

 

New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan Tuesday demanded the Centre to act on its plan to shift a part of the lions' population from the Gir forests to his state, a move which is being fiercely opposed by the parent state which says the animal is its pride and gives a distinctive edge to its tourism.

 

His demand may rekindle the controversy over the translocation of Asiatic lions from Gujarat.

 

''We have made all the preparations for receiving the guests, but, they seem nowhere to be coming. The Centre should do something,'' Mr Chauhan said interacting with UNI journalists at the news agency's headquarters here.

 

Gir Forests in Gujarat are the only place in the world where the Asiatic lion is presently found. Experts have been saying the forests were overpopulated with the lions, so it would be in the interest of the animals' survival, if they were distributed to another habitat.

 

A Centrally-sponsored Rs 640 crore project had been proposed in 1996 to translocate the lions over two decades to the 344 sq km Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in MP's Sheopur district. But, the Gujarat government's resistance to share its proud possession have thwarted these plans so far.

 

The MP Chief Minister said it has pained him to see that all efforts and money on making the sanctuary suitablle for the Gir lions was going waste.

 

Asked whether he was in talks with the Gujarat government over the issue, Mr Chauhan said he would address his demand to the Centre instead, as it was a central project.

 

The April 2005 census recorded the lion-count in Gir at 359, an increase of 32 compared to 2001.

 

Despite strong protection machinery being in place in the Gir Forest, poaching of the animals had been taking place. The lions had also been poisoned for attacking livestock. Other threats haunting the animals were fires, floods, epidemics and natural disasters.

 

But, the Gujarat government had been asserting that Gir forests were quite safe for the lions and rather may not find the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary suitable, he underlined.

 

He said the sanctuary in his state was absolutely fit and ready to sustain the Asiatic lions.

 

The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1965 in an area of 1412 km², located about 65 km to the south-east of Junagadh city of Junagadh district in the kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat.

 

The then Nawab of the princely Junagadh state had declared the forest area of Gir and its lions as "protected" in the early 1900s, an initiative that assisted in the conservation of the lions whose population had gone down to only 15 due to trophy hunting.

 

Sometime back, Uttar Pradesh had also made a move to get some big cats from the Gir Forests, but in vain.

 

Mulayam Singh Yadav, the erstwhile Chief Minister of the state, had envisaged development of a lion safari on a huge tract of land in the forest area of his home district Etawah.

 

Owning to the change of guard last year, the project, however, was almost put in the cold storage.

 

One of the difficulties was getting lions from the Gir forests, officials of the state say. 

Tourist attacked forest guard

03-10-2008

Tourist attacked forest guard

Divya Bhaskar

Briefly translated from Gujarati

 

Few young boys from Amreli and Babra were returning from Diu. They were rejected permission and Gate pass at Jasadhar check-post as they were late. They got angry and attacked the check-post guard Virabhai Ratnabhai. They were driving a Maruti Van Reg.no. GJ-10-8287. 

Call of the big cat

05-10-2008

Call of the big cat

The Hindu By N. SHIVA KUMAR

http://www.hindu.com/mag/2008/10/05/stories/2008100550180700.htm

 

Asia's last population of free-ranging lions is confined to the Gir forests in Gujarat. Will they get a second home?

 

Space to grow: The concentration of lions in one sanctuary makes them more vulnerable in the event of a catastrophe.

 

Peering through my binoculars, the Indian Pitta was mesmerizing. But I was not to be sidetracked as I was all eager-eyes for the Lion King. The plan was to capture on camera one of the rarest carnivores in its last wild habitat, the Asiatic lion.

 

It was the month of June and the weather had withered much of the vegetation and the forest was tinder dry. Locating the free roaming lions in a territory of 1,400 sq km is a near impossible task. The sanctuary was to be closed for the ensuing rainy season and I was all the more keen not to miss meeting the lions in their own den. But they are not easy to encounter. The 300-odd lions are restless, ranging far beyond the official boundaries of the sanctuary. It was a problem of plenty in one little tight spot.

 

Lucky strike

 

I was, however, fortunate to sight a magnificent male with battle marks on his face on the very first trip. My first wild date with a powerful male was certainly not prosaic, as the reclining lion suddenly got up as if he remembered something and walked off with regal strides into the thickets of the jungle. I was exhilarated by my first encounter with a wild lion but immediately pondered how, when the British ruled India, lions were found roaming the forests around Delhi. Both lions and human beings evolved together over thousands of years, never intruding into each others' area. Even if they did, they showed restraint as they saw no danger in such close encounters. Of all the big cats, the lions were the most tolerant to human beings.

 

But opponents and supporters of affirmative action cannot seem to arrive at a plan for the languishing Asiatic lion in its last lap of battle for survival. Slotted as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Asiatic lion seems stuck in the designated GIR sanctuary. In reality they have spilled throughout the porous Gir national park and spread over the vast terrain of the arid Saurastra in Gujarat. They want to reclaim the lost land, say some scientists while others vehemently oppose, saying they are dispersing because the capacity of Gir is over saturated.

 

"It was once the most visible and widespread big cats in the Indian subcontinent but today the lion is cornered and 'confined' in a little location. What a sad fate for the king of beasts that is considered to be the most handsome of all the five big Indian cats… while the sleek looking Cheetah has lost the race to survive in India. The tiger has its back to the wall, the snow leopard is just barely surviving in its snowy Himalayan abode and the leopard is much maligned in scattered pockets. All this is happening owing to heavy assaults on the habitats of big cats which is depleting fast due to ingress of massive human activities," says B.C. Choudhry, a senior scientist with vast experience of over 30 years in handling vital conservation issues. He works with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun. Although designated a Sanctuary and a National Park, three highways and smaller roads crisscross Gir. So does a railway line, which scuttles at least six trains through the park each day. Temples within the sanctuary is another bane which draws thousands of pilgrims each year 'trampling the tranquility' of the environment. If that is not enough the parched lion habitat is a major fire risk that can literally stew the lions. With the entire wild population of Asiatic lions restricted to just one area, that population is highly susceptible to any kind of biological or man-made catastrophe. A major disaster can decimate the entire subspecies at a stroke. Comprehending the necessity of providing the Asiatic lion with an alternate home has become imperative, exclaim wildlife enthusiasts across the world.

 

With prudence, the Wildlife Institute of India has zeroed on the Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh to be the second home of the Asiatic Lion. It has been nurtured for almost 10 years and nearly 15 crores have been spent to prepare the sanctuary. But successive Gujarat governments have successfully opposed the move, in spite of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) and other Wildlife NGOs supporting the translocation.

 

"The recent airlifting of two tigers from Ranthambore National Park to Sariska National Park has given greater impetus to the translocation of big cats. It is not a very complicated task and they are capable of withstanding some amount of stress and strain. In the African jungles wild lions are regularly transported and resettled to different locations as per the prevailing wildlife conservation methods and the success rate is very high. Moreover it is not the first time big animals have been translocated in India. The one horned rhinoceros, despite opposition, was translocated in 1984 from the jungles of Assam to Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh. Today they are thriving and a valuable lesson has been learnt," explains Y.V. Jhala a wildlife scientist with the WII who is presently researching the Asiatic lions in the wild.

 

Patience is a prudent virtue but endurance is not forever and so the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) and the Madhya Pradesh Government have come forward to initiate the off-exhibit conservation breeding programme for the Asiatic lions at Kuno Sanctuary from the zoos located in Delhi and Hyderabad. "The chosen lions and lionesses have been tested for their genetic purity at the Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) of Centre Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad. Thereafter the MOU will be signed and it will be a privilege for the lions to be moved to an off-exhibit conservation breeding centre in the Kuno Sanctuary. Hopefully the third generation will begin their journey as free roaming lions in the so called second home in Madhya Pradesh," clarifies Dr. B.K. Gupta of CZA, Delhi.

 

Increasing the chances

 

"India will be disgraced in all forums of Wildlife Conservation and Natural History Conventions if we cannot save Asia's last population of free-ranging lions. There is no need for Gujarat government to part with the ownership of the Gir lions but they merely have to provide a small pride of lions as a long-term loan to be translocated. That's all that is required and this sagacious conservation action will reap rich harvests as Gujarat's magnanimous action will not only improve the conservation prospects for the lions in Gir but is also likely to result in another set of free-ranging lions in far off Kuno sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh," declares Ravi Chellam, Director and Senior Fellow of ATREE (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & the Environment) in Bengaluru. He is one of the few who has trekked and observed the lions for four years and understands well their ecology and behaviour in the Gir forest.

Gir is lion of all sanctuaries

05-10-2008

Gir is lion of all sanctuaries

Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Gir_is_lion_of_all_sanctuaries/articleshow/3561630.cms

 

Ahmedabad: Of four national parks and 22 sanctuaries in Gujarat, Gir in Junagadh and Nal Sarovar in Ahmedabad district top the popularity charts among visitors. The state tourism department seems to have failed to market sanctuaries in other parts.

 

According to official data, Gir Asiatic lion forest reserve alone has attracted 66 per cent of tourists in Gujarat and over 80 per cent of total foreign tourists visiting the state. Officials said that if the data of Nal Sarovar and Thol bird sanctuaries and Gir are put together, other sanctuaries in the state have just attracted seven per cent of the domestic tourists visiting Gujarat for wildlife tourism.

 

Forest officials say that the only reason why there are not many visitors at other sanctuaries is lack of infrastructure and not many people are aware that these exist.

 

Besides, the Devalia interpretation zone for Asiatic Lions and Sasan Gir fall in the pilgrim circuit of Somnath and Diu, for those wishing a boozing break. Officials also say that Sasan Gir is a hot favourite among Amdavadis. "Rest of the sanctuaries are isolated and it is only nature lovers from the state who visit these sanctuaries."

 

Bharat Pathak conservator of forests (Junagadh) says, "A detailed analysis is required. But the immediate reasons are the popularity and good infrastructure in Sasan Gir. The other attractions are also the large variety of birds found here.'

Wild, wild Rajkot to hold Wildlife Education Fair on Oct 4 and 5

03-10-2008

Wild, wild Rajkot to hold Wildlife Education Fair on Oct 4 and 5

Indian Express By Parish Joshi

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Wild--wild-Rajkot-to-hold-Wildlife-Education-Fair-on-Oct-4-and-5/368873

 

Rajkot, October 2 For the first time in the state, the Forest Department and the NGOs are planning to organise a Wildlife Education Fair on October 4 and 5 as part of the Wildlife Week Celebrations. The Rajkot based NGO — Wildlife Conservation Trust, the state Forest Department, the municipal corporation-run Rajkot Zoo and the Rajkot Bal Bhavan are jointly celebrating the Wildlife Week from October 2 to 8 in the city.

 

During the weeklong celebration, various educational activities like essay writing competition, elocution and painting, besides a quiz contest will be organised for the students. A wildlife education fair, which is being organised for the first time in the state, will be held at the Shyamaprasad Art Gallery in Racecourse ground on October 4 and 5. WCT president Kishore Kotecha said more than seven stalls will be set-up in the ground outside the Shyamaprasad art gallery during the two-day long fair. "This is first time we are organising such an event. There will be less number of stalls but we are hoping that people of Rajkot will enjoy the novel concept for the fair."

 

He said the WCT stall will educate people about our ongoing campaign of covering open wells in the vicinity of the Gir Sanctuary. "There will be a stall of the Forest Department in which they will display various posters about educating people about wildlife and another stall, which will provide details of medicinal and herbal plants, complete with posters and live specimens. The Forest Department has also decided to distribute free of cost, saplings of some herbal and medicinal plants during the fair," he said.

 

He added: "The most attractive stall in the fair will be of the wildlife photography exhibition by famous wildlife photographer Bhushan Pandya. Rare picture of Asiatic lions and other indigenous species will be displayed during the exhibition. The Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation will also display books and other materials regarding wildlife education at their stall here."

Wlidlife week kick starts

03-10-2008

Wlidlife week kick starts

Times of India

 

Rajkot : World Wildlife Week, 2008, celebrated globally from October 2, will be organized with much fanfare in the city with a host of activities lined up. One of the highlights of the events will be Wildlife Education Fair to be held for the first time ever on October 4 and October 5.

 

According to Wildlife Conservation Trust chairman Kishore Kotecha, a week-long event has been jointly planned by Wildlife Conservation Trust, Gujarat Forest Department, Aji Zoo and Bal Bhavan. "The programmes include essay, drawing and elocution competitions in about 700 schools of Rajkot district and spreading awareness through cinema and slide shows," said Kotecha.

 

On the wildlife education fair, Kotecha explained, "The Wildlife Education Fair 2008 will be held at Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Art Gallery on Race Course Road on October 4 and October 5. It will also feature photography exhibition of works of well-known photographer Bhushan Pandya, wildlife movies, forest department stall, Rajkot Zoo stall, Gir Foundation stall and 'Open Well Menace' stall by our organization."

 

"It is an unprecedented and prestigious event for Gujarat, entry to which will be free. The fair will be inaugurated by principal chief conservator of forest Pradeep Khanna," he added.

King arrives at Gene pool at Wankaner

02-10-2008

King arrives at Gene pool at Wankaner

Divya Bhaskar

Briefly translated from Gujarati

 

Finally one male and two female Asiatic lions have been brought to Rampara vidi near Wankaner Simitarly, very shortly, another gene pool will start at Umath vidi near Jasdan. As told by G. V. Vadi, Deputy Conservator of forest, this is not a wildlife park and hence public will not be allowed to go inside the park.

Farmer’s body found, eaten by wild animals

01-10-2008

Farmer's body found, eaten by wild animals

Times of India

 

Just three days after a lioness severely injured a farmer in Jetalwad village of Visavadar taluka in Junagadh district, another farmer was found killed and partially eaten by a wild animal on Monday from neighbouring Ludhiya village in the same taluka. Sources said, Govind Ratanpara, 60, a groundnut farmer, had gone to guard the crops in his field on Sunday night. On Monday morning, his brother Jayanti Ratanpara found his half-eaten body and reported the incident to police. The incident, close on heels of the lioness attack on another farmer, Dhiru Bhalala, on Friday, has left the villagers shaken. However, the animal which killed Ratanpara has not been identified yet.

Cattle Killing by Lions

28-09-2008

Pride kills a bull

Divya Bhaskar

Briefly translated from Gujarati

 

Bull killed by a pride of four lions (male, female, two cubs) at Ghantiyal village on Jetpur Road of Bagsara Taluka. Farmer Anil Ghela Vekariya.

 

28-09-2008

Two lions kill a bull

Divya Bhaskar

Briefly translated from Gujarati

 

Bull killed by two lions at Bhada village near Timbi of Jafrabad sub-district.

 

30-09-2008

Wild animal kills Old farmer

Gujarat Samachar

Briefly translated from Gujarati

 

An old farmer, aged 60 years, was sleeping at his farm for protecting his crops. In the night, a leopard or a lion, attacked and killed him. The forest department is investigating further to find out which animal killed the man.

 

The incidence happened at Ludhiya village of Visavadar sub-district near Gir West forest.

 

30-09-2008

Lion kills grazing cow in Amreli village

Times of India

 

Jafrabad  (Amreli) : A grazing cow became prey to a pride of three lions in an orchard on Sunday evening, once again putting the spotlight on the growing lion menace in Lor village of Jafrabad taluka in Amreli district.

 

According to farmer Atul Baraiyya, the owner of the cow said, "The lions sneaked into the orchard, where my cow had strayed in and pounced upon it, killing it instantly." Baradiya said.

 

Meanwhile, there is a growing demand from villagers of Lor to provide security to their cattle against the marauding big cats. "We have urged the forest department time and again, but in vain," said Bhikaramdas, owner of the orchard. "Our village is frequently attacked by lions and leopards. It has become a comfortable area for them as it is close to the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. Lions prowling around the cattle yard in the village has become a common sight," he said.