Gunshots silence lion’s roar in Mityala

30-04-2012
Gunshots silence lion's roar in Mityala
Times of India By Vijaysinh Parmar
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Gunshots-silence-lions-roar-in-Mityala/articleshow/12928316.cms

Cops Hold Arms Training A Stone's Throw From Sanctuary

Tigers in the Jim Corbett National Park can finally rest in peace with Uttarakhand recently banning high decibel noise within 500m around the sanctuary after complaints that noisy parties and marriages were disturbing the animals.

The handful of Asiatic lions in Mityala Wildlife Sanctuary in Amreli, however, are not that lucky. Forget loud parties, they have to live with the sound of sporadic gunshots a stone's throw from their abode.

The Amreli district police has a firing range less than half a km from the sanctuary. An application filed under Right to Information Act (RTI) by Vimalsinh Rathod, a wildlife enthusiast from Khambha, revealed the police regularly holds arms training at this hilly spot.

While Mityala was declared a wildlife sanctuary only in 2004, the firing range has been there for the past 11 years. Rathod says the range should have been shifted as soon as the sanctuary was notified.

"Lions regularly come close to the firing range," Rathod said. "My RTI query revealed the forest department did not find it necessary to give permission for the range as it was a matter between two government departments."

"Besides the sound of gunfire, police officials ensure lions don't enter the range when training is in progress. This restricts their natural movement," a senior forest department official told TOI.

Vipul Laheri, honorary wildlife warden of Amreli, said, "Ideally, the area should be declared a silence zone. In the past too, this issue was debated when wildlife activists objected to the range." Laheri is also a member of Lion Conservation Society, Gujarat. R L Meena, chief conservator of forests (wildlife division), Junagadh circle, said that earlier there was no lion movement in the area. "We will observe the situation now and if we find the firing range is disturbing the lions, we will propose to the government to take an appropriate decision.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT: The firing range in Amreli

Lion cub fall into water-tank save

30-04-2012
Lion cub fall into water-tank save
Divya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-lion-cub-fall-into-water-tank-save-3187416.html?OF10=

પાણી પીવા આવેલું સિંહ બાળ અવેડામાં પડ્યું
પાણી ખાલી કરી સિંહબાળને વનવિભાગે બચાવી લીધું
ઊનાનાં ગીરગઢડા ગામનાં પાદરમાં પાણી પીવા આવેલ ૧૧ સિંહનાં ગૃપમાંથી એક બચ્ચું અવેડામાં પડી જતાં વનવિભાગે રેસ્કયુ ઓપરેશન હાથ ધરી સિંહબાળને બચાવી લીધું હતું.

જંગલબોર્ડર નજીક આવેલા ગીરગઢડા ગામનાં પાદરમાં આજે પરોઢીયે ૧૧સિંહનું ગૃપ આવી પહોંચ્યું હતું તેમાં આઠ તો સિંહબાળ હતા. આ સિંહ પરિવાર એક અવેડામાં પાણી પી પ્યાસ બુજાવતા હતા ત્યારે ગમ્મત કરતું એક ચાર માસનું બચ્ચું અકસ્માતે અવેડાનાં ઉંડા પાણીમાં પડી ગરક બની ગયું હતું.

આ દ્રશ્ય લાલજીભાઇ દુધાત નામનાં ગ્રામજને નિહાળતાં તેમણે જશાધાર રેનજનાં આરએફઓ બી.ટી.આહીરને જાણ કરતાં તેઓ રેસ્કયુટીમને લઇ તાત્કાલિક ઘટનાસ્થળે પહોંચી ગયા હતા. આ સમયે સિંહ પરિવાર નજીકમાં દુર લપાઇને બેસી ગયો હતો. રેસ્કયુટીમે સૌપ્રથમ અવેડાનું પાણી ખાલી કરાવી સિંહબાળને સલામત રીતે બહાર કાઢી પાંજરે પૂરી જશાધાર એનિમલ કેર સેન્ટરમાં સારવાર અપાવ્યા બાદ સિંહોનાં ગૃપને શોધી કાઢી તેનાં પરિવાર સાથે મિલન પણ કરાવી દીધું હતું. આમ, વન વિભાગની વન્યપ્રાણીઓની માવજત પ્રત્યે ઉમદા કામગીરી જોવા મળી હતી.

૧૧ સિંહના ગ્રૂપને જોવા લોકો ઊમટી પડ્યા
ઊના પંથકનાં લોકોને ક્યારેય પણ જંગલમાં કે અન્ય જગ્યાએ સિંહદર્શન કરવા જવું પડતું નથી. બે દિવસ પહેલાં પણ ખાપટ ગામમાં નવ સિંહ પહોંચી ગયા હતા. ગીરગઢડાનાં ગ્રામ્યજનો ૧૧ સિંહના ગૃપને જોવા ઉમટી પડ્યા હતાં.

Leopard makes Dhari his home

30-04-2012
Leopard makes Dhari his home
Divya Bhaskar
Print Edition

Gir Forest Lions' Survival And The Chance To Roam Free (PHOTOS)

28-04-2012
Gir Forest Lions' Survival And The Chance To Roam Free (PHOTOS)
Huffingtonpost. By Jessica Leader
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/mobileweb/2012/04/23/gir-forest-lions-survival_n_1445497.html

From Uri Golman:
A small teak forest in India's western state of Gujarat is home to some of the last wild Asiatic lions in this world.

Not many people know about these lions. When I chose to go there to work on a personal project about endangered wildlife in India, I was often asked if I was maybe thinking about the better known Bengal tigers.

But, no, India does have a small lion subspecies population. They are Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) and historically ranged in a large area from Greece through Iran, and all the way to India. In fact, it was the Asiatic subspecies that were used by the Romans in gladiator fights at the Colosseum-- not its larger cousin, the African lion.

Big cats are threatened all over the world. Loss of habitat and conflict with humans are great problems worldwide, but nowhere is this as evident as in the Gir National Forest. [Text continues after images.]
Photos and captions courtesy of Uri Golman

Here, a small population of about 411 lions, including nearly 150 sub-adults (according to a 2010 census), have their last stronghold. Fortunately, the Gir Forest sanctuary is well kept by the Gujarat government and lion numbers are on the rise. Yet according to scientists like Dr. Luke Hunter, President of Panthera who wrote a BBC Wildlife Article about this issue, the lions are outgrowing the forest and have nowhere to go. Noted lion expert Dr. Ravi Chellam has developed plans for relocation, and the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in the neighboring Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is ready to receive the lions.

It would seem relocation is the only hope for Asiatic lions' survival. With such a small population in a small geographical place, disease could wipe out the entire population in a very short time. One of the lions' main prey, other than the chital deer (Axis axis), is livestock, which is troubling to local farmers and cattle-herders. Human vs. wildlife conflicts take place in Gujarat every day, and wildlife rarely wins.

So, why have the lions not been moved yet? It seems like a simple job, and in national parks around South Africa, relocation of animals has become everyday business. But things are unfortunately not as simple as they seem, and the Asiatic lions may never roam in any other sanctuary than Gir. According to Hunter's article, the state government of Gujarat refuses to give permission for any relocation. Some voices say that it is about Gujarati pride, while others believe it is a financial concern of the state wanting to protect the tourist income brought by the lions.

Sadly, politics always plays a role in conservation. After having spent an amazing time in the vicinity of this incredible animal, I only hope that the right people will change their minds and give these lions a chance. Hopefully, we will once again see the Asiatic lions roam freely as they should.

Saving lions: Locals told to barricade open wells in Gir

28-04-2012
Saving lions: Locals told to barricade open wells in Gir
The Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/saving-lions-locals-told-to-barricade-open-wells-in-gir/942739/

Farmers living in the vicinity of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary have been asked to barricade about 3,000 open wells to prevent Asiatic lions from falling into them.

The farmers have been asked to construct parapet walls around the open wells to prevent them from becoming death traps for Asiatic lions, Anshuman Sharma, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Gir East), said on Friday.

A total of 8,500 such wells were located in the area. Of these, 5,482 had been covered under a programme started in December 2007, he said. The wells are dug by farmers who need water for crop irrigation and livestock.

The farmers are being given a government grant for Rs 8,000 for covering each well, Sharma said.

A sub-adult lion (aged about one-and-half-year) was rescued on Thursday from an open well in Ningala village of Amreli district.

Several lions have died in the last few years after falling in open wells. The wells have been divided into two categories - those falling within 2-km radius of the sanctuary and the others located 2km away from it.

As per the last Census conducted in April 2010, there are 411 Asiatic lions in Gir, spread over districts of Junagadh and Amreli. The sanctuary is the only abode of Asiatic lions.

Farmers told to barricade wells on Gir periphery

27-04-2012
Farmers told to barricade wells on Gir periphery
Zeenews
http://zeenews.india.com/news/gujarat/farmers-told-to-barricade-wells-on-gir-periphery_772035.html

Farmers living in the vicinity of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary have been asked to barricade about 3,000 open wells to prevent Asiatic lions from falling into them.

The farmers have been asked to construct parapet walls around the open wells to prevent them from becoming death traps for Asiatic lions, Anshuman Sharma, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Gir East), said today.

A total of 8,500 such wells were located in the area. Of these, 5,482 had been covered under a programme started in December 2007, he said.

The wells are dug by farmers who need water for crop irrigation and livestock.

The farmers are being given a Government grant for Rs 8,000 for covering each well, Sharma said.

A sub-adult lion (aged about one-and-half-year) was rescued yesterday from an open well in Ningala village of Amreli district.

Several lions have died in the last few years after falling in open wells. The wells have been divided into two categories - those falling within 2km radius of the sanctuary and the others located 2km away from it.

As per the last Census conducted in April 2010, there are 411 Asiatic lions in Gir, spread over districts of Junagadh and Amreli. The sanctuary is the only abode of Asiatic lions.

Lion rescued from open well

27-04-2012
Lion rescued from open well
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Lion-rescued-from-open-well-near-Khambha/articleshow/12884893.cms

A one-and-half-year-old lion fell into an open well in a farm that belonged to Ghanshyam Vadaiya at Ningala village in Khambha taluka of Amreli district on Thursday.

"We came to know about the incident at around 10:30 am. We rushed to the spot with a rescue team and rescued the lion. It was a one-and-a-half hour operation," Anshuman Sharma, deputy conservator of forest, Gir East, (Dhari), said.

He said that it was a male lion. "Our veterinary team is examining it. After full check-up, we will release it in the wild," Sharma added.

"We have asked the farmers whose wells are open to get them covered to ensure that lions, which are in good numbers in this area, do not fall into them,'' he said.

Two lions punisher for human folly

27-04-2012
Two lions punisher for human folly
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/12890183.cms

Two Asiatic lions are facing 'life imprisonment' for no fault of theirs! A lion, which was harassed by a group of villagers, brutally killed a 35-year-old man in Dholadri village of Amreli district on April 18. The area falls under expanded lion territory called Bruhad Gir.

As per rules, any lion or wild cat which attacks humans are captured and caged in Sakkarbaug Zoo or in the rescue centre in Sasan Gir for life time. However, investigation into the entire episode has thrown up some disturbing facts.

While forest department maintains that the man was attacked when he went into the bushes, sources in the social forestry department confirmed to TOI that the man was part of a group, which had actually snatched away a cow that was killed by the lion on April 17 by pelting stones at it.

"Next day early morning, the group again went to the area where lions were located and started harassing the pair. They continued to disturb the lions till 3 pm when finally one of lions brutally killed the man, Bhura Parmar," a source said. The lion tore apart the man and finally sat on his chest. Even forest officials had a tough time to collect the man's body parts and they used a tractor to keep the lion away.

Later the lion was captured and forest officials are on lookout for the other lion to capture it.

When asked, Rajula range forest officer A B Bloch said Parmar along with others had gone to collect firewood in the area when the lion attacked him. But forest officials confirm that lion never attack humans unless they are disturbed.

Lion rescued from open well at Ningada village in Khambha village

27-04-2012
Lion rescued from open well at Ningada village in Khambha village
Divya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-lioness-drown-in-well-khambha-3173533.html

કૂવામાં ખાબકી સિંહણ, કરાયું દિલધડક રેસ્કયુ ઓપરેશન

વનવિભાગને લાંબી જહેમત બાદ સિંહણને જીવિત બહાર કાઢી પાંજરે પૂરી

ખાંભા તાલુકાનાં નિંગાળા ગામની સીમમાં આજે વહેલી સવારે આશરે દોઢ વર્ષની ઉમરની એક સિંહણ ૬૦ ફૂટ ઉંડા કુવામાં ખાબકતા વનતંત્ર દોડતું થઈ ગયું હતું. વનખાતાનાં અધિકારીઓ દોડી ગયા બાદ કુવામાં ખાટલો અને ગાળીયા નાંખી પાણીમાં તરતી સિંહણને બચાવી લઈ પાંજરે પૂરવામાં આવી હતી.

ગીરકાંઠાના ગામોમાં ખેતીવાડીનાં ખૂલ્લા કુવા સાવજો માટે મોતનું કારણ બની રહ્યાં છે ભૂતકાળમાં અનેક સાવજોનાં કુવામાં ખાબકવાથી મોત થઈ ચૂકાયા છે પરંતુ આજે ૬૦ ફૂટ ઉંડા કુવામા ખાબકેલી સિંહણને જીવતી બચાવવામાં વનવિભાગને સફળતા મળી હતી. ખાંભા તાલુકાનાં નિંગાળા ગામની સીમમાં આજે વહેલી સવારે ઘનશ્યામભાઈ લાલજીભાઈ વડીવીયાની વાડીમાં કાંઠા વગરનાં કુવામાં આશરે દોઢ વર્ષની ઉમરની સિંહણ કોઈ રીતે પડી ગઈ હતી.

આશરે ૬૦ ફૂટ ઉંડા કુવામાં ૧૫ ફૂટ પાણી ભયું છે. આ સિંહણ પાણીના તરતી હોવાની જાણ થતા વાડી માલીક દ્વારા તુરંત વનવિભાગને જાણ કરવામાં આવી હતી. ધારીથી ડીએફઓ અંશુમન શર્મા રેસ્કયુ ટીમ તથા ખાંભાનાં સ્ટાફ સાથે અહિં દોડી આવ્યા હતા અને આ સિંહણને જીવતી બહાર કાઢવા માટે રેસ્કયુ ઓપરેશન શરૂ કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું.

આ સિંહણને બહાર કાઢવા માટે સૌ પ્રથમતો દોરડા સાથે ખાટલો કુવામાં ઉતારવામાં આવ્યો હતો જેથી સિંહણ આ ખાટલા પર ચડી ગઈ હતી. ત્યારબાદ વનવિભાગનાં બે કર્મચારી કનરે દોરડા બાંધી કુવામાં થોડે સુધી ઉતર્યા હતાં. આ કર્મચારીઓએ દોરડાનાં ગાળીયા નાંખી સિંહણને બાંધી દીધી હતી જેને પગલે ઉપરથી વનવિભાગનાં સ્ટાફે દોરડા ખેંચી સિંહણને સીધી જ પાંજરામાં લઈ લીધી હતી. સવારથી બપોરનાં બે વાગ્યા સુધી ચાલેલા લાંબા ઓપરેશન બાદ આખરે સિંહણનો જીવ બચાવી શકાયો હતો.

સિંહણ કલાકો સુધી પાણીમાં તરતી રહી

આ સિંહણ સવારે કુવામાં પડી ત્યારથી તે છેક વન વિભાગે કુવામાં ખાટલો ઉતાર્યો ત્યાં સુધી સિંહણ ૧૪ ફૂટ પાણીમાં તરતી રહી હતી. બાદમાં ખાટલા પર ચડી ગઈ હતી.

Lion in matting kills cub at Shemardi village

27-04-2012
Lion in matting kills cub at Shemardi village
Divya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-lion-kille-her-cub-3173051.html

માદાને સંવનન માટે તૈયાર કરવા સાવજે મારી નાખ્યું સિંહબાણ

- પાંચ માસનાં માદા સિંહબાળ પર હુમલો કરી આંતરડા બહાર કાઢી નાખ્યા

ગીર જંગલનાં સાવજોની જાણે માઠી દશા બેઠી છે. સાવજોનાં મોતની ઘટનાઓ સમયાંતરે બહાર આવતી જ રહે છે. આવી વધુ એક ઘટનામાં ધારી તાલુકાનાં ગીર કાંઠાનાં શેમરડી ગામની સીમમાં એક સિંહે પાંચ માસનાં માદા સિંહબાળને મારી નાખ્યું છે. સિંહણ સંવનન માટે તૈયાર થઇ જાય તે ઉદ્ેશથી સાવજે તેના ૬ માસનાં બચ્ચા પર હુમલો કરી તેના રામ રમાડી દીધા. આ સિંહે એટલા ઝનૂનથી હુમલો કર્યો હતો કે માત્ર સિંહબાળનાં પેટમાંથી આંતરડા બહાર આવી ગયા હતા. બચ્ચાનું ધારીમાં પીએમ કરાયું હતુ. આ ઘટના ધારી તાલુકાનાં દલખાણીયા ગામ નજીક જંગલ કાંઠે આવેલા શેમરડી ગામની સીમમાં બની હતી.

અહીં પાછલા ઘણા સમયથી એક સિંહણ પોતાના પાંચ માસનાં માત્ર સિંહબાળ સાથે જોવા મળતી હતી. આજે સવારે આ વિસ્તારમાં એક સિંહઆવી ચડ્યો હતો. પોતાની સાથે પાંચ માસનું બચ્ચુ હોય સિંહણ સવનન માટે તૈયાર થતી ન હોય સાવજ ઉશ્કેરાઇ ગયો હતો અને આ માદા સિંહબાળ પર હુમલો કરી દીધો હતો. સિંહઆ બચ્ચાનાં ગળામાં દાંત બેસાડી દીધા હતા. એટલું જ નહીં પેટ પર હુમલો કરતા આ બચ્ચાનાં આંતરડા બહાર નીકળી ગયા હતા. જ્યારે બચ્ચા નાના હોય ત્યારે સિંહણ સવનન માટે તૈયાર થતી નથી. આ બચ્ચાનો પિતા આવા સંજોગોમાં ક્યારેય બચ્ચા પર હુમલો કરતો નથી. પરંતુ બહારનો સિંહઅહીં આવી ચડે ત્યારે સિંહણ સંવનન માટે તૈયાર થાય તે માટે તે સૌપ્રથમ બચ્ચાને મારી નાખે છે. શેમરડીમાં પણ આવું જ થયુ હતું.

જો કે સિંહનાં હુમલા બાદ પણ બચ્ચુ જીવીત હતું. વન વિભાગન ગામલોકો દ્વારા જાણ કરવામાં આવતા સ્થાનિક ફોરેસ્ટ જે.એમ. માળવી તુરંત ઘટના સ્થળે દોડી ગયા હતા. બચ્ચુ જીવીત હોય તેઓ બચ્ચાને લઇ તુરત ધારી દોડી ગયા હતા. આગોતરી જાણ હોય અહીં વેટરનરી ડોક્ટર સહિતનો કાફલો અગાઉથી જ તૈયાર હતો. જો કે થોડીવારની સારવારમાં જ આ બચ્ચુ મોતને ભેટયું હતુ. બાદમાં ધારી ખાતે જ આ બચ્ચાનું પોસ્ટ મોર્ટમ કરી તેની લાશનો નિકાલ કરવામાં આવ્યો હતો.

- સિંહણને એક જ બચ્ચુ હતું

સામાન્ય રીતે સિંહણને બે કે ત્રણ બચ્ચા હોય છે પરંતુ શેમરડીની સીમમાં આંટા મારતી આ સિંહણ એક જ બચ્ચા સાથે જોવા મળતી હતી. આમ તેનું પણ મોત થતા ફરી ટૂંક સમયમાં સિંહણ આ વિસ્તારમાં આવી ચડેલા સિંહસાથે જોડી બનાવશે.

- બચ્ચાનાં પેટ અને ગળામાં જીવલેણ ઇજા - આરએફઓ

આ વિસ્તારનાં આરએફઓ એ.વી. ઠાકરે જણાવ્યું હતુ કે, ઇનફાઇટમાં થયેલી ઇજા બચ્ચા માટે જીવલેણ નિવડી હતી. બચ્ચાનાં ગળા તથા પેટનાં ભાગે ગંભીર ઇજા પહોંચી હતી. જે તેના માટે જીવલેણ સાબીત થઇ હતી.

Over 8,000 trees in protected area to be axed

26-04-2012
Over 8,000 trees in protected area to be axed
The Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/over-8-000-trees-in-protected-area-to-be-axed/941728/

Apart from over 4,800 trees in non-protected area, more than 8,000 other trees in protected forest area will axed for the four-laning work on National Highway 8D.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has got the in-principle approval from Union Ministry of Forests and Environment for the project. "The Centre has given its in-principle approval for cutting of the trees in protected area," said H S Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Fores (Social Forestry).

The local forest department has started the process to evaluate the amount

for compensatory forestation that the NHAI will have to bear.

The 125-km long four-lane highway to be constructed at an estimated cost of over Rs 830 crore will see felling of at least 8,000 trees on the 88-km stretch from Junagadh to Veraval, which a protected forest area, and 4,863 trees on two non-protected areas — from Jetpur to Junagadh and the Veraval-Somnath bypass.

This will be a blow to the ecology, as trees like pipal, vad and neem in the protected area form the support system for birds, domestic animals, insects and worms, said Singh. He ruled out the possibility that the project in anyway can affect the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.

"We have tried to save as many trees as we can. By way of bypasses, some 4,000 trees have been saved. But the rest of it will have to be cut down for widening the road from two to four lanes," said NHAI Deputy General Manager R S Jhanwar.

The official added that considering the technical aspects, removing trees was the last option. "For safety and alignment of the road, there was no alternative," he added.

Gujarat activists take up cudgels to save 5,000 trees

25-04-2012
Gujarat activists take up cudgels to save 5,000 trees
DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_gujarat-activists-take-up-cudgels-to-save-5000-trees_1680549

Environmental activists and NGOs across the state are getting together to save close to 8,000 trees that will be chopped down for expansion of the Jetpur-Junagadh highway and Veraval-Somnath bypass.

4,865 trees of 57 different species of trees, some of them believed to be over 100 years old, will be sacrificed for the project. A proposal seeking permission from the forest department to cut trees in the protected forest areas close to the two highways has further raised the ire of environmentalists.

Dinesh Goswami of Prakruti Nature Club said that they are contacting various NGOs to build a consensus on the matter. "We will be writing to them. We are going to work unitedly on this issue," said Goswami. Another activist closely associated with the development said that if the government refuses to budge from its decision they may also file a PIL in the matter. "But that of course will be the last resort," said the activist.

Goswami said they have sent a mail to some 50 NGOs across the state about the issue. "We will also be giving a memorandum to the mamlatdaar and later to the district collector. The same will also be sent to various officials including principal secretary forest department," said Goswami.

The activists are urging the government to look at other options including tree transplantation. "They can also explore the option of acquiring the farm land close to the highway at a right price," said Goswami.

Gir Forest Lions' Survival And The Chance To Roam Free (PHOTOS)

23-04-2012
Gir Forest Lions' Survival And The Chance To Roam Free (PHOTOS)
Huffingtonpost
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/23/gir-forest-lions-survival_n_1445497.html?ref=green

From Uri Golman:

A small teak forest in India's western state of Gujarat is home to some of the last wild Asiatic lions in this world.

Not many people know about these lions. When I chose to go there to work on a personal project about endangered wildlife in India, I was often asked if I was maybe thinking about the better known Bengal tigers.

But, no, India does have a small lion subspecies population. They are Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) and historically ranged in a large area from Greece through Iran, and all the way to India. In fact, it was the Asiatic subspecies that were used by the Romans in gladiator fights at the Colosseum-- not its larger cousin, the African lion.

Big cats are threatened all over the world. Loss of habitat and conflict with humans are great problems worldwide, but nowhere is this as evident as in the Gir National Forest. [Text continues after images.]

Photos and captions courtesy of Uri Golman


Here, a small population of about 411 lions, including nearly 150 sub-adults (according to a 2010 census), have their last stronghold. Fortunately, the Gir Forest sanctuary is well kept by the Gujarat government and lion numbers are on the rise. Yet according to scientists like Dr. Luke Hunter, President of Panthera who wrote a BBC Wildlife Article about this issue, the lions are outgrowing the forest and have nowhere to go. Noted lion expert Dr. Ravi Chellam has developed plans for relocation, and the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in the neighboring Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is ready to receive the lions.

It would seem relocation is the only hope for Asiatic lions' survival. With such a small population in a small geographical place, disease could wipe out the entire population in a very short time. One of the lions' main prey, other than the chital deer (Axis axis), is livestock, which is troubling to local farmers and cattle-herders. Human vs. wildlife conflicts take place in Gujarat every day, and wildlife rarely wins.

So, why have the lions not been moved yet? It seems like a simple job, and in national parks around South Africa, relocation of animals has become everyday business. But things are unfortunately not as simple as they seem, and the Asiatic lions may never roam in any other sanctuary than Gir. According to Hunter's article, the state government of Gujarat refuses to give permission for any relocation. Some voices say that it is about Gujarati pride, while others believe it is a financial concern of the state wanting to protect the tourist income brought by the lions.

Sadly, politics always plays a role in conservation. After having spent an amazing time in the vicinity of this incredible animal, I only hope that the right people will change their minds and give these lions a chance. Hopefully, we will once again see the Asiatic lions roam freely as they should.

March-April 07 Poaching Incidence

25-04-2012

March-April 07 Poaching Incidence

Three lion bodies were found on 3rd March in Babariya range in Gir East. Three more were found on 30th March at Popatdi ness which is at a distance of 6- 7 km from the place of first incidence. But two more found on 14th April were at Bhavnagar district which is at a distance of 100 Km from Gir!! Total 8 lions were poached.

In all the three incidences exactly the same modus operandi of killing was used. First animals were caught by traps and then killed by inserting poisonous spears. Once the animals were dead poachers professionally (brutally!) cut the bodies, boiled the body parts in hot water and buried them inside the land for few days to separate flesh from the bones. They preserved claws in salt water.

Poachers had hidden traps and cleaned body parts like bones, skin, and claws (that were not sent away) in an underground hall which was accessed from main person's tent. The access is in the form of a small tunnel (similar to a mouse burrow) below the floor carpet. The main boss would put his hands through this tunnel and get the things when needed. This is what Police found while digging the river bed in Una where the gangs had lodged.

Arrested MP poachers are in big numbers (29- 30) with women (including pregnant women) and children. They tried to camouflage by selling balloons, toys etc. When caught, they tried to act as poor to gain sympathy. Later police also recovered some costly mobiles with MP State sim card in there.

Above all they bear typical characteristics of Katni poachers of Bahiliyas community and that is what exactly investigating officials have found out. Now let us also look at some more dangerous characteristics and style of operating of these Katni poachers.

Katni gangs have been found to be involved in poaching throughout India. Basically poaching is their bread - butter and survival.

From cases of tiger & other wild animals poaching in MP, Rajasthan and North India, where Bahiliyas are involved, it is learnt that that these gangs strike in many separate groups of 10- 20 each and that too in different areas of jungle. So far in lion poaching case only two separate groups are found and that too 100 km apart from each other. Now it is impossible to have even trace of them as they should have left Gujarat by now.

A Million Dollar question is how many groups were involved and how many areas in our forest did they operate in?

Last poaching incidence was unearthed only after the villagers accidentally found it. At the same few gang members were arrested by coincidence by Bhavnagar Police. The gang was found first and then the mutilated bodies. Gang showed the place of buried remains.

This again poses another pertinent question; how many incidences are still not found nor are unnoticed where gangs have already done their job, buried the remains and escaped?

Past history confirms that where ever Katni Bahiliyas operate or strike, animals are just wiped off within couple of months. Eg. Sariska.

The crucial question is how many of our lions they have killed or what is the total damage?

At the same time, in last couple of years there have been many incidences of natural deaths, deaths due to open well accidents and electrocution.

Taking into consideration all of the above, it was utmost necessary to find out how many of our precious lions have we lost, by conducting a lion census. Forest Department did census but figures are never revealed.

As on 24th Aug 07, all the 39+ front end poachers are in jail and have been rejected bail. Also 'assumed kingpin' Sarkaslal was nabbed from Katni and is in jail. And today two more Anand Minter and Ira Khan, natives of Katni district, were nabbed by a Gujarat Police team. They are caught with some big cat's skin in their possession.


Sarkaslal

On 23rd two more poachers Anand Minter and Ira Khan allegedly involved in killing at Badigaon village in Katni district in MP were arrested.

Also involvement of Hakki Pikki tribe from Karnataka is expected. The modus operandi of poaching by Hakki Pikki gangs is excately similar to Bahiliya gangs from MP. This came to light when the IG-CID Gujarat, Keshav Kumar gave presentation on investigation with regard to the lion poaching at a workshop conducted by the Karnataka CID (Forest Cell), on 24th Aug 2007.

On 10th Oct 2007 one more Killol Nanka was arrested from MP.


In Jan 2008 on more accused was nabbed from Karnataka. His name is Prabhakar Keshav Gajakosh (50).

On 12-1-2008 19 accused, for the first time in history, they unconditionally withdrew their bail application from the High court. So till the final disposal of the case they are in jail as on today.

11-3-2008 One more accused AK Chaudhary a very close associate of Poaching king Sansar Chand arrested by Karnataka Police from Hyderabad . Guj CID Police were working  in association with Karnataka Police with big hope.

23-10-08:  Junagadh court 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.



Details Prepared by
Kishore Kotecha
Exec Director
Wildlife Conservation Trust
Rajkot – Gujarat
+91 98240 62062
info@asiaticlion.org

Poachers back to hunt Gujrat pride?

24-04-2012
Poachers back to hunt Gujrat pride?
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Poachers-back-to-hunt-Gujrat-pride/articleshow/12845704.cms

Have poachers become active near Gir National Park again? Missing claws of a lion that died a year ago and a cub that has been missing for nearly 50 days indicate that all is not well in the lion's abode.

A 10-month-old lion cub in this range has been missing since March 5 and the forest department has no clue about its disappearance. K S Randhawa, deputy conservator of forests, Bhavnagar, denied that a cub has been missing but senior forest officials confirmed to TOI that the cub has indeed been traceless.

Earlier, in April 2011, a lion was electrocuted at Valar village in Mahuva range. When the carcass was found, the claws were missing. Four persons were arrested in the connection but even after a year forest officials have not found the claws.

The area was stalked by poachers about five years back and nearly 50 poachers, led by Sarkaslal from Madhya Pradesh, were arrested for killing eight lions in the span of a few weeks.

The two recent cases not only bring back those memories but also highlight the lack of co-ordination between the departments concerned and the ground staff in the region. The lion's carcass was found 10 days after it died. After killing the lion, the accused had put the carcass on a bullock cart and dumped it on the gauchar land. Marks of the bullock cart wheels in the area had led the forest officials to conclude that the lion may have been killed somewhere else and the body was later dumped in the revenue area.

Randhawa, however, denied involvement of any gang of poachers in lion's killing. "We suspect involvement of local people in the case of missing claws," he said.

According to the last census, there were 411 lions in the sanctuary and of this, 33 were in Bhavnagar district, mostly in Mahuva range.

Axe to fall on 4,800 trees for national highway project

23-04-2012
Axe to fall on 4,800 trees for national highway project
The Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/axe-to-fall-on-4-800-trees-for-national-highway-project/940302/


Over 4,800 trees, including many rare and indigenous ones, will be cut down to pave the way for National Highway 8D, connecting Jetpur in Rajkot district to Somnath in Junagadh district.

The state Forest Department has invited tenders to fell the trees, after which a 127-km long four-lane highway would be constructed.

According to the tender issued in a vernacular daily recently, there are 4,865 trees of as many as 35 varieties — including neem, coconut, mango, eucalyptus, pipal and others — that need to be cut down.

The department had given the permission for this to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) one-and-a-half-year ago.

According to the Forest Department, the axe will fall on the trees on either side of two patches — one from Jetpur to Junagadh city, and another from Veraval to Somnath.

On the first stretch, there are 2,743 trees of 35 varieties, all planted in 1979-80, while on the Veraval-Somnath stretch, there are 2,122 trees, planted in 1993-94.

Forest officials, however, said all the trees would not be cut down.

"We have been trying to save as many trees as we can. At the time of cutting, a department team will be present on the spot to identify the trees that will not be touched," said Junagadh deputy conservator of forest R D Katara.

He said plantation will be done again on either side of the new road. "For the same, expenses will be borne by the NHAI while the plantation will be done by the Forest Department," he said, adding, "The department will again plant more trees, but it will definitely take time for the new road to regain its green cover."

5,000 trees fall out with govt for obstructing its devt plan

23-04-2012
5,000 trees fall out with govt for obstructing its devt plan
Dailybhaskar
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/GUJ-AHD-5000-trees-fall-out-with-govt-for-obstructing-its-devt-plan-3152388.html


Trees across the state seem to be a minor road block for the government's ambitious road expansion plans. After the AMC, which plans to cut 80 trees on the Gujarat College stretch, it is the turn of state government to raise its axe.
Out of 4,865 trees which will be felled, some are believed to be over 100 to 200 years old. They will be cut to make way for the government's plan of widening the Jetpur-Junagadh highway and the Veraval-Somnath bypass.

A notice issued by the forest department has invited tenders for the sale of 4,865 trees lining both sides of the said roads. The trees will be first felled before they are sold. The notice mentions that the trees were planted between 1979 and 1994.

Interestingly, people close to the development said that the two stretches are home to close to 57 different species of trees, some of them found only in Gujarat. A source in know said that it is the road and buildings department of the state that is driving the agenda.

"The necessary permissions have come from all the concerned departments, including the forest department. But it is the road and building department that wants to expedite the matter," said the source. Principal secretary of the state road and building department, SS Rathod claimed that they are merely acting as coordinators for the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) that is carrying out the expansion work.

However, the chief general manager, NHAI, Gujarat, JK Patel clarified that, "We did not give the advertisement for felling the trees." Evading a direct reply, minister for environment and forest, Gujarat state, Mangu Patel asked to talk to the officials concerned. When asked if he was unaware about the development, Patel said, "I know about it. But these things are necessary to carry out development work."

Apparently, many in the forest department itself are unhappy with the tree cutting spree but are reluctant to speak up.
Another source said that whenever permission is sought to cut so many trees the concerned department, in this case, the road and building department, has to deposit an amount equal to the expense incurred by the forest department to plant double the number of trees in double the area.

"In this stretch, most of the trees were planted by the department. Just some and not all are over 50 years old," said a source.

The government's notice inviting tender for the sale of trees states that around 2,122 trees on the Veraval-Somnath bypass and 2,743 trees on the Jetpur-Junagadh highway will have to be cut.
Sources said that even if new trees are planted for those cut, it will be difficult for the government to come up with such wide variety of species..

Leopard kills old woman

23-04-2012
Leopard kills old woman
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Leopard-kills-old-woman/articleshow/12830482.cms

An old woman was killed by a leopard in Karamdadi village of Dhari taluka in Amreli district in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Police said that victim Santok Koli, 60, was sleeping in her courtyard when the leopard attacked her at about 4:30 am.

"The leopard dragged the victim about half-a-kilometre away and ate some of her body parts.

Her partly-eaten body was recovered on late Sunday morning," said a forester.

Lions kill two cows

23-04-2012
Lions kill two cows
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Lions-kill-two-cows-in-Una-village/articleshow/12830671.cms

A pride of nine lions wreaked terror in Khilavad village of Una taluka in Junagadh district on Saturday night by attacking cattle and killing two cows.

According to the forest department officials, villagers of Khilavad said that they locked themselves into their houses after they heard the big cats roaring on Saturday night.

"The villagers claimed there were nine lions of one pride, which attacked a group of six cows, killing two of them.

The lions dragged the two cows into the orchard owned by Rasik Patel and feasted on their carcasses till early Sunday morning. Some of the villagers who had witnessed this scene alerted us," said a forester.

Meanwhile, forest department has started devising strategies to tackle the lion menace in Khilavad village.

Wildlife action plan is need of the hour

23-04-2012
Wildlife action plan is need of the hour
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/12830546.cms

Saurashtra has many rare wildlife species. This is a matter of pride for the region. However, what is causing concern to people, particularly wildlife activists, is the fact that many animals belonging to rare species have been becoming victims of road accidents of late.

An Indian hyena, an animal protected under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, was killed in a road accident on Friday night near Ambardi village on Savarkundla-Rajula road in Amreli district. "Many precious wildlife species are getting killed in road accidents. This is a cause of concern. Forest department should do something about it," said Chirag Acharya, wildlife lover from Savarkundla.

"Earlier two leopards, including a two-month-old cub, was killed in a road accident in Amreli district. The leopard cub was hit by a vehicle near SavarKundla when it was crossing the road," Acharya added. "Since lions, leopards, hyenas, blue bulls and other wild animals are coming out of the jungle into the revenue areas, road accidents would only increase in the future, resulting in more deaths of precious wildlife species. As far as Amreli district is concerned, even during day time, people can see lions and leopards crossing the roads,'' said Nilesh Mehta, a nature lover from Savarkundla.

"We regularly come across cases wherein blue bulls are reported killed in road accidents. Forest department can at least put sign boards suggesting presence of wildlife in particular areas. This would alert vehicle drivers and prevent wild animals from being killed in road accidents,'' Mehta added. Shrenik Shah, a wildlife conservationist from Bhavnagar, said that on Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar highway, which passes through Blackbuck National Park (BNP), Velavadar, every month, at least one blackbuck gets killed in a road accidents. Blackbuck is also a protected species under Wildlife Protection Act.

"There is no action plan to save blackbucks which are getting killed regularly in road accidents near Blackbuck National Park. There are no hoardings or sign boa-rds on roads. Vehicles that hit wild animals easily escape after the accident," Shah said.

Lion and leopard killed seven people in Amreli

23-04-2012
Lion and leopard killed seven people in Amreli
Divya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-lion-and-leopard-killed-seven-people-in-amreli-3152017.html?PRVNX=

અમરેલીમાં સિંહ-દીપડાએ સાત માણસોનો ભોગ લીધો

જંગલ બહાર વસતા સિંહ-દીપડા માણસનું લોહી ચાખી ગયા છે

ગીર કાંઠાનો અમરેલી જિલ્લા વન્ય પ્રાણીઓના આતંકથી ત્રસ્ત છે ગીર જંગલ ટુંકુ પડતા મોટી સંખ્યામાં સાવજો અને દીપડા જંગલ બહાર નીકળી ગયા છે. આ ખૂંખાર વન્યપ્રાણીઓનો અવાર-નવાર માણસ સાથે સામનો થઇ જાય છે. સિંહ દીપડા અવાર-નવાર માણસ પર હુમલો પણ કરી બેસે છે જે ક્યારેક જીવલેણ સાબીત થાય છે. પાછલા એક વર્ષ દરમિયાન અમરેલી જિલ્લામાં સિંહ દ્વારા બે યુવાનને મારી નખાયા છે. જ્યારે દીપડા દ્વારા પાંચ માણસોને મારી નાખવામાં આવ્યા છે.

અમરેલી જિલ્લામાં સાવજ દીપડા જેવા હિંસક વન્યપ્રાણી અને માણસો સાથે રેહવા મજબુર બન્યા છે. આ હિંસકપ્રાણી માટે જંગલમાં હવે કોઇ જગ્યા નથી જેથી ફરજીયાત તેઓ આ જિલ્લાના રેવન્યુ વિસ્તારમાં પોતાનું નવુ ઘર બનાવતા જાય છે. જ્યાં સુધી માણસ અને સિંહ-દીપડા વચ્ચે ટક્કર ન થાય ત્યાં સુધી કશો વાંધો આવતો નથી પરંતુ જેવી ટક્કર થાય તે સાથે જ સિંહ અને દીપડાનો હાથ ઉપર રહે છે.

વાડી ખેતરોમાં કામ કરતા કે રસ્તે પસાર થતાં લોકોનો વારંવાર આ પ્રાણીઓ સાથે સામનો થઇ જાય છે. ક્યારેક આ પ્રાણીઓ શિકારની શોધમાં ગામડાઓમાં પણ આવી ચડે છે. પાછલા એક વર્ષ દરમિયાન અમરેલી જિલ્લામાં સાવજોએ બે તથા દીપડાએ પાંચ અને સાત માણસને મારી નાખી હાહાકાર મચાવી દીધો છે. જેમાં ત્રણ ઘટનાતો પાછલા પકવાડીયામાં જ બની છે.

એકાદ વર્ષ પહેલા ગીરપૂર્વની સરસીયા રેન્જમાં બગસરા તાલુકાનાં પાદર ગઢ ગામેની સીમમાં સાવજો કાઠી આઘેડ પર હુમલો કર્યા બાદ રાજકોટ દવાખાને તેનુ સારવાર દરમિયાન મોત થયુ હતું. સિંહ દ્વારા માણસનાં બીજા શિકારની ઘટનાં ચાર દિવસ પહેલા જાફરાબાદ તાલુકાનાં ધોળાદ્રી ગામની સીમમાં બની હતી.

જ્યાં એક સિંહણે રામભાઇ પરમાર (ઉ.વ.૩૫) નામના યુવાન પર હુમલો કરી તેના પાંચ ટુકડા કરી નાખ્યા હતા. એક વર્ષમાં દીપડાએ આ વિસ્તારમાં પાંચ માણસોને ફાડી ખાધા હતા. છ માસ પહેલા નાગેચીની સીમમાં ખેત મજુરની એક બાળકીને દીપડાએ ઉપાડી જઇ ફાડી ખાધી હતી. થોડા મહિના અગાઉ સરસીયા રેન્જમાં આવેલા ભરડ ગામની સીમમાં દિવસ દરમિયાન દીપડાએ બાળકને ફાડી ખાધી બાદ સંતોકબેન (ઉ.વ.૬૦) નામના વૃધ્ધાને દીપડાએ ફાડી ખાધા હતા.

સિંહ દીપડા અહીંથી ક્યાંય જવાના નથી તેમ માણસ પણ અહીંથી કપાંટા જવાના નથી. આ પ્રકરણની ટકક્ર ટાળવા માણસે જ તેની જીવનશૈલીમાં ફેરફાર કરવો પડશે.

સિંહ-દીપડા દ્વારા ઇજાની ઘટના પણ વધી

અમરેલી જિલ્લામાં સિંહ-દીપડાની સંખ્યા વધવાની સાથે સાથે સિંહ-દીપડા દ્વારા માણસને ઇજા પહોંચાડવાની ઘટના પણ વધી પડી છે. આ પ્રકારના મોટા ભાગનાં હુમલાની ઘટનાં સીમ વિસ્તારમાં બને છે. ક્યારેક યારેક ગામડામાં પણ ઘુસી આવી સિંહ દીપડા માણસોને ઘાયલ કરે છે. જો કે, સિંહ દ્વારા મોટા ભાગનાં હુમલામાં તેનો ઇરાદો શિકારનો નથી હોતો.

જંગલમાં ‘સિંહદર્શન’ કરતા અમદાવાદનાં આઠ શખ્સો દંડાયા

23-04-2012
જંગલમાં 'સિંહદર્શન' કરતા અમદાવાદનાં આઠ શખ્સો દંડાયા
Divya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-1751776-2758441.html

વેરાવળ નજીકનાં બાબરા વીડી જંગલમાં પ્રવેશી ગેરકાયદેસર સિંહ દર્શન કરતાં અમદાવાદનાં આઠ શખ્સોને વનવિભાગે રંગે હાથ ઝડપી લઇ તેમની પાસેથી R ૧૬ હજારનાં દંડની વસુલાત કરી હતી.

વેરાવળ નજીકનાં બાબરા વીડી જંગલમાં પીળીધાર વિસ્તારમાં રવિવારનાં રાત્રિનાં ૧૦.૩૦ વાગ્યાની આસપાસ ગેરકાયદેસર લાયન શો નહિાળી રહ્યાંની બાતમી મળતાં વેરાવળ રેન્જનાં ડીએફઓ શાહુનાં માર્ગદર્શન હેઠળ આરએફઓ ડી. વી. પરસાણા, ફોરેસ્ટર વિનુભાઇ અપારનાથી, સી.એમ. રાઠોડ અને ગડુ વનવિભાગ સ્ટાફે ઘટના સ્થળે દોડી જઇ અમદાવાદનાં અખ્તર ઇકબાલ કુસાવાલા, શેખ મહમદ જુનેદ, સોમન ઉસ્માન જોધપુરવાળા, શેખ અબ્દુલ રહુફ વાહીદ, ઇમ્તીયાઝ હાજી મહમદ માંડણવાલા, મોકરજીવાલા ઇમરાન રફીક, આતીફ જમાલ બોલાવાળા અને બીલોરા યાસીન મહમદને ગેરકાયદેસર રીતે જંગલમાં પ્રવેશ કરી લાયન શો નહિાળતાં રંગે હાથ ઝડપી લીધા હતા. આ તમામ શખ્સો પાસેથી વનવિભાગે રૂ.૧૬ હજારનાં દંડની વસુલાત કરી હતી.

One lac help to child girl family

23-04-2012
One lac help to child girl family
Divya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-one-lac-help-to-child-gril-family-3151988.html

દિપડાનો કોળિયો બનેલી બાળકીના પરિવારને દોઢ લાખની સહાય

ધારીના લાઇપરાની સીમમાં બે દિવસ પહેલા એક ખેત મજુર દેવીપુજકની આઠ વર્ષની બાળકીને દિપડાએ ઉપાડી જઇ ફાડી ખાધા બાદ વનવિભાગ દ્વારા ગઇકાલે આ દેવીપુજક પરિવારને સરકારી ધારાધોરણ મુજબ R દોઢ લાખના વળતરનો ચેક ચુકવી દેવામાં આવ્યો હતો.

વન્યપ્રાણી દ્રારા કોઇ માણસનો શિકાર કરવામાં આવે તો સરકાર દ્રારા પિડીત પરિવારને R દોઢ લાખનુ વળતર ચુકવવામાં આવે છે. વળી આ સહાય તાબડતોબ ચુકવવાનો હુકમ હોય વનવિભાગ દ્રારા ધારીના દેવીપુજક પરિવારને ગઇકાલે દોઢ લાખની સહાયનો ચેક ચુકવી દેવામાં આવ્યો હતો.

બે દિવસ પહેલા ધારીના લાઇનપરાની સીમમાં રહેતા ડાયાભાઇ વેલજીભાઇ દેવીપુજકની આઠ વર્ષની પુત્રી સેજલને વહેલી સવારે ઝુંપડામાંથી દપિડો ઉપાડી ગયો હતો. અને કાટમાં લઇ જઇ આ બાળાને ફાડી ખાધી હતી. વનવિભાગના સ્ટાફે બાળાનુ પોસ્ટમોર્ટમ કરાવ્યા બાદ તેના પરિવારને વળતર ચુકવવાની કાર્યવાહી હાથ ધરી હતી. વનવિભાગ દ્રારા ચોવીસ કલાકમાં જ બાળાના પરિવારને દોઢ લાખનુ વળતર ચુકવાયુ હતુ.

બીજી તરફ ધારીના કરમદડીની સીમમાં પણ ગઇકાલે દિપડાએ વૃધ્ધાને ફાડી ખાધા હોય વનવિભાગ દ્રારા આ વૃધ્ધાના ચારેય પુત્રોનો સંપર્ક સાધી વળતર ચુકવવાની કાર્યવાહી હાથ ધરવામાં આવી છે.

Leopard that killed old woman at Karamdadi, caught

23-04-2012
Leopard that killed old woman at Karamdadi, caught
Divya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-RJK-panter-killed-old-woman-in-dhari-3148319.html

સતત બીજા દિવસે ત્રાટક્યો દિપડો, વૃદ્ધાને ફાડી ખાધી, તસવીરો

-સતત બીજા દિવસે બનેલા બનાવથી ગ્રામજનોમા ફફડાટ
-વન વિભાગ ઉંધા માથે, માનવભક્ષી દિપડાને પાંજરે પુરવા કવાયત

અમરેલી જિલ્લાના ધારી પંથકમાં સતત બીજા દિવસે માનવભક્ષી દિપડાએ વૃધ્ધ મહિલાને ફાડી ખાધાનો બનાવ પ્રકાશમાં આવતા અરેરાટીની સાથે ગ્રામજનોમા ગભરાટ ફેલાયો છે.

ધારીના કરમદડી ગામે ગઇ કાલે મોડી રાત્રે સંતોકબેન માધાભાઇ શીરવડીયા નામના કોળી વૃધ્ધા તેમના પરિવારજનો સાથે ખેતરમાં સુતા હતા. ત્યારે પરોઢિયે ખેતરમાં ઘૂસી આવેલો માનવભક્ષી દિપડો ચૂપચાપ વૃધ્ધાને ઉઠાવી ગયો હતો. સવારે કોળી પરિવાર ઉઠતા સંતોકબેન નજરે નહી પડતા તેમની શોધખોળ કરી હતી.

દરમિયાન સવારે સંતોકબેનનો માથા વગરનો મૃતદેહ ગામની સીમમા અવાવરૂ જગ્યાએથી મળી આવતા અરેરાટી વ્યાપી ગઇ હતી. બનાવની જાણ થતા પોલીસ તેમજ વન વિભાગનો સ્ટાફ દોડી ગયો હતો અને માનવભક્ષી દિપડાને પાંજરે પુરવા કવાયત હાથ ધરી છે.

Leopard attacks two brothers near Hasnapur Dam in Girnar WLS

23-04-2012
Leopard attacks two brothers near Hasnapur Dam in Girnar WLS
Dvya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-leopard-attack-on-two-brothers-3150042.html

જૂનાગઢ મનપાનાં બે કર્મચારી પર દીપડાનો હુમલો

- હસ્નાપુર ડેમ સાઇટ પર વાલ્વ ખોલવા જતી વખતે બનેલી ઘટના
- હુમલાનો ભોગ બનેલા બંને સગાભાઇઓ

ગિરનારની ગોદમાં આવેલા અને જૂનાગઢ શહેરને પાણી પુરૂં પાડતા હસ્નાપુર ડેમસાઇટ ઉપર ફરજ બજાવતા બે સગા ભાઇઓ પર આજે સવારે દીપડાએ હુમલો કર્યો હતો. બંને ભાઇઓ વાલ્વ ખોલવા જતા હતા એ વખતે બનેલી આ ઘટના બાદ બંનેને સારવાર માટે જૂનાગઢ સિવિલમાં ખસેડાયા હતા.

જૂનાગઢ મહાનગરપાલિકાની વોટર વર્કસ શાખામાં નોકરી કરતા વનરાજ વશરામ મકવાણા (ઉ.૩૧) અને તેનો સગો નાનો ભાઇ કિશોર (ઉ.૨૪) હસ્નાપુર ડેમસાઇટ ખાતે ફરજ બજાવે છે. અને ત્યાંજ મનપાએ ફાળવેલા ક્વાર્ટરમાં રહે છે. જેમાં વનરાજ ઓપરેટર ફોર્સ અને કિશોર મજૂર ફોર્સમાં કાર્યરત છે. આજે સવારે ૮થી ૯ વાગ્યાનાં અરસામાં બંને ભાઇઓ ડેમનો વાલ્વ ખોલવા માટે ક્વાર્ટરમાંથી નીકળીને ડેમસાઇટ પર જતા હતા.

કિશોર આગળ અને વનરાજ પાછળ ચાલતો હતો. દીપડાએ અચાનક જ વનરાજ પર તરાપ મારી. તેણે કિશોરને જોરથી રાડ નાંખી અને દોડવા ગયો. એટલામાં નાની પાળી રસ્તામાં આવી આથી તે ત્યાં જ ગડથોલિયું ખાઇ ગયો. અને તેનાં ઘૂંટણમાં વાગ્યું. દીપડો તેના પર વાર કરવા જતો હતો એજ વખતે કિશોર મોટાભાઇને બચાવવા ત્યાં પહોંચી ગયો.

તેણે દીપડાને ધક્કો માર્યો. આથી દીપડાએ તેના પર ફરીથી હુમલો કર્યો અને તેનાં હાથમાં નહોર ભરાવી દીધા. જોકે, કિશોર ડર્યો નહીં અને દીપડાને ફરીથી હાકોટો પાડતાં તે દૂર ચાલ્યો ગયો. આ બૂમાબૂમ સાંભળી નજીકમાં જ આવેલા વનવિભાગનાં જાંબુડી રાઉન્ડ થાણામાંથી વનકર્મચારીઓ દોડી આવ્યા. અને ઘવાયેલા બંને ભાઇઓને મોટરસાઇકલ પર બેસાડી તુરત જ જૂનાગઢ સિવિલ હોસ્પિટલે લાવ્યા.

એ દરમ્યાન બનાવની જાણ મનપાનાં અધિકારીઓને કરી દેવાતાં તેઓ પણ સિવિલ હોસ્પિટલે આવી પહોંચ્યા. વનરાજને ઘૂંટણમાં પડી જતાં અને કિશોરને દીપડાએ નહોર ભરાવતાં ઇજા થઇ હોવાનું જાણવા મળ્યું છે.

તમામ તસવીરો મેહુલ ચોટલીયા, જુનાગઢ

Four leopards caught in one night near Veraval

23-04-2012
Four leopards caught in one night near Veraval
Divya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-four-leopard-caught-in-veraval-3152134.html

વેરાવળ પંથકમાંથી એક જ રાતમાં ચાર દીપડા 'કેદ'


રાત્રિ દરમિયાન જ આ ખૂંખાર પ્રાણીઓ પૂરાતા વન વિભાગે હાશકારો અનુભવ્યો

વેરાવળ પંથકમાંથી રાત્રિ દરમિયાન ચાર દીપડા પાંજરામાં કેદ થઇ જતાં વન વિભાગે હાશકારો અનુભવ્યો હતો. ઇણાજની સીમમાં એક સાથે એક દીપડો અને બે દીપડી પાંજરામાં પૂરાય ગયા હતા. જ્યારે વડોદરા ડોડીયાની સીમમાંથી એક દીપડો પાંજરે પૂરાયો હતો.

વેરાવળ-સુત્રાપાડા પંથકમાં છેલ્લા કેટલાક સમયથી ખુંખાર દીપડાઓએ કાળો કેર વર્તાવી નાના બાળકોને ફાડી ખાતા આ બનાવોથી વન વિભાગ પણ હરક્તમાં આવી ગયું છે અને જુદા-જુદા સ્થળોએ પાંજરા ગોઠવી અભિયાન શરૂ કર્યું છે. દરમિયાન ઇણાજ ગામની સીમમાં આવેલા રૂડાભાઇ નાજાભાઇ વાળાનાં બાજરાનાં ખેતરમાં ગોઠવેલા પાંજરામાં ગત રાત્રિનાં ૧૨:૩૦ વાગ્યાની આસપાસ દોઢ વર્ષનો દીપડો, ત્યારબાદ ૨:૩૦ વાગ્યે દોઢ વર્ષની દીપડી અને પરોઢીયે ૫:૧૫ વાગ્યે સાત વર્ષની દીપડી મારણની લાલચે કેદ થઇ ગઇ હતી.

આ સ્થળે બે પાંજરા મૂકવામાં આવ્યા હતા. જેમાં એક જ પાંજરામાં એક સાથે ત્રણ વન્યપ્રાણીઓ કેદ થઇ જતાં વન વિભાગે રાહતનો શ્વાસ લીધો હતો. આ ઉપરાંત વડોદરા ડોડીયાની સીમમાં પણ શુક્રવારનાં રાત્રિનાં સમયે એક દીપડો પાંજરામાં પૂરાય ગયો હતો. વેરાવળ રેન્જનાં આરએફઓ પી.વી. પડશાળા, ફોરેસ્ટર વિનુભાઇ અપારનાથી સહિતનાં સ્ટાફે કામગીરી બજાવી હતી. આ પ્રાણીઓને સાસણ એનિમલ કેર સેન્ટર ખાતે મોકલી અપાયા હતા.

Leopard dies in Train accident near Shapur in Gir W region

20-04-2012
Leopard dies in Train accident near Shapur in Gir W region
Divya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-leopard-died-due-to-cut-under-train-3138221.html

ટ્રેનના એન્જિન નીચે આવી ગયો દીપડો, થઇ ગયા કટકે કટકા
- વહેલી સવારે પસાર થતી ટ્રેનની હડફેટે આવી ગયો

આજે વ્હેલી સવારે વેરાવળ તરફ જતી ટ્રેન હેઠળ આવી જતાં દીપડાનું મોત થયું હતું. બનાવની જાણ થતાં વનવિભાગનો સ્ટાફ ઘટનાસ્થળે દોડી ગયો હતો અને તેનાં મૃતદેહનું પીએમ કર્યું હતું.

જાણવા મળ્યા મુજબ, જૂનાગઢ-વેરાવળ બ્રોડગેજ રેલ્વે લાઇન ઉપર જૂનાગઢથી વેરાવળ તરફ જતી ટ્રેન આજે વહેલી સવારે શાપુરથી નીકળી હતી. તે ઓઝત નદીના પુલ પાસે પહોંચી એ વખતે આસપાસમાં છુપાયેલો એક દીપડો ટ્રેક ક્રોસ કરવા ગયો. પરંતુ તે એન્જીન હેઠળ આવી જતાં તેનાં ત્યાં જ કટકા થઇ ગયા હતા. અને ઘટનાસ્થળે જ દીપડાએ દમ તોડી દીધો હતો.

બનાવ અંગે જોકે, વનવિભાગને મોડેથી ખબર પડી હતી. આ ઘટના શાપુરથી લુશાળા રેલ્વે સ્ટેશનો વચ્ચે વંથલી તાલુકાનાં નાના કાજલીયાળા ગામ નજીક બની હતી. બનાવની જાણ થતાં સામાજીક વનીકરણ વિભાગના એસીએફ ખાન, આરએફઓ ટીલાળા અને સ્ટાફ ઘટનાસ્થળે દોડી ગયો હતો. અને સ્થળ પર જ તેનું પીએમ કરી તેનાં મૃતદેહનાં નિકાલની વ્યવસ્થા કરી હતી. મૃત દીપડો ૪ વર્ષની વયનો નર હોવાનું વનવિભાગનાં સૂત્રોએ જણાવ્યું હતું.

Lion tears apart man near Jafrabad

19-04-2012
Lion tears apart man near Jafrabad
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Lion-tears-apart-man-near-Jafrabad/articleshow/12722105.cms

An illegal lions show went horribly wrong for the organizer, who was torn apart by the wild beast in Amreli district on Wednesday evening.

Forest officials of Amreli division Rajula-Jafrabad range told TOI that victim Bhura Parmar (35) was organizing a lion show in Dholadari village of Jafrabad taluka for a group of persons who had gone for lion sighting.

The group of villagers reportedly disturbed a lion and lioness. The agitated lion came menacingly close to the group and tried to attack them. While other villagers managed to escape, Bhura could not and the lion dragged him into the bushes. The wild cat tore his body apart, said officials, adding, his skeleton was found at the site.

Lioness in mating kills a man; disturbed by stone throw

19-04-2012
Lioness in mating kills a man; disturbed by stone throw
Divya Bhakar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-young-man-hunted-by-lion-in-jafrabad-3133019.html

પ્રેમાલાપ કરતા સિંહ યુગલની સળી કરવી યુવાનને પડી ભારે

- સિંહ દર્શન માટે એકઠા થયેલા ટોળામાંથી સિંહણ યુવાનને ઉપાડી ગઇ

- યુવકની લાશના પાંચ ટુકડા મળ્યા

- પ્રેમાલાપ કરતા સિંહ યુગલ પર કોઇએ પત્થર ફેંકતા જ સિંહણ ઉશ્કેરાઇ

- જાફરાબાદના ધોળાદ્રી ગામની સીમમાં બનેલી ઘટના

જાફરાબાદ તાલુકાના ધોળાદ્રી ગામની સીમમાં આજે બપોરે બાવળની કાંટમાં એક સિંહ યુગલ ગેલ ગમ્મત કરતુ હતુ ત્યારે સિંહ દર્શન માટે ૩૦ થી ૩૫ શખ્સોનું ટોળુ એકઠુ થઇ ગયુ હતું. જે પૈકી કોઇએ સિંહ પર પત્થરનો ઘા મારતા સિંહણ ઉશ્કેરાઇ હતી અને હુમલો કરી એક યુવકને બાવળની કાંટમાં ઢસડી ગઇ હતી. સિંહણના હુમલાથી અન્ય લોકોમાં નાસભાગ મચી ગઇ હતી. જ્યારે ઉશ્કેરાયેલી સિંહણે યુવકના ટુકડે ટુકડા કરી નાખ્યા હતાં. ઘટનાને પગલે જાફરાબાદ પંથકમાં હાહાકાર મચી ગયો હતો. વન ખાતાના અધિકારીઓ ઘટના સ્થળે દોડી ગયા છે.

અમરેલી જીલ્લામાં રેવન્યુ વિસ્તારમાં વસતા સાવજો માણસો પર હુમલો કરી કાળો કેર વર્તાવી રહ્યા છે. આવા હુમલાઓ માટે ઘણી વખત માણસોની ભુલ પણ જવાબદાર હોય છે. આજે જાફરાબાદ તાલુકાના ધોળાદ્રી ગામની સીમમાં ટોળાએ સિંહ યુગલને છંછેડવાની ભુલ કરતા એક દલીત યુવાને પોતાનો જીવ ગુમાવવો પડયો હતો. ધોળાદ્રી ગામના ભુરા રામભાઇ પરમાર (ઉ.વ. ૩૫) નામના યુવકને સિંહણે લોકોના ટોળા વચ્ચેથી ખેંચી જઇ ફાડી ખાધો હતો અને તેના ટુકડા કરી નાખ્યા હતાં.

સુત્રોમાંથી જાણવા મળતી વિગત અનુસાર જાફરાબાદના ધોળાદ્રીની સીમમાં આજે બપોરે બાવળની કાંટમાં એક સિંહ યુગલ આવી ચડયુ હતું. જોતજોતામાં આ વિસ્તારમાં વાત ફેલાતા કાળા તડકામાં પણ સિંહ દર્શન માટે લોકો ઉમટવા લાગ્યા હતાં. એવું કહેવાય છે કે અહિં ૩૦ થી ૩૫ શખ્સોનું ટોળુ સિંહ દર્શન માટે એકઠુ થઇ ગયુ હતું. આ સમયે સિંહ યુગલ ગેલ ગમ્મતમાં વ્યસ્ત હતું. દરમીયાન સિંહ દર્શન માટે એકઠા થયેલા ટોળામાંથી કોઇએ કાકરી ચાળો શરૂ કર્યો હતો. એવું કહેવાય છે કે કોઇ શખ્સે સિંહ પર પત્થર ફેંકયો હતો. જેના કારણે સિંહણ એકદમ ઉશ્કેરાઇ ગઇ હતી અને તેણે સીધો જ ટોળામાં ઉભેલા ભુરા રામભાઇ પરમાર પર હુમલો કરી દીધો હતો. સિંહણ એકદમ આ યુવકને ઢસડી બાવળની કાંટમાં લઇ ગઇ હતી. જ્યારે અન્ય તમામ લોકો નાસી છુટયા હતાં. આ સિંહણ એટલી હદે ઉશ્કેરાયેલી હતી કે તેણે યુવકના પાંચ ટુકડા કરી નાખ્યા હતાં. ગભરાયેલા ગામલોકો દ્વારા તુરંત વન વિભાગનેે જાણ કરવામાં આવી હતી. વન વિભાગના સ્ટાફે બાવળની કાંટમાં જઇ તપાસ કરતા યુવકના ટુકડા મળી આવ્યા હતાં. મૃતક યુવાન હિરા ઘસવાનું કામ કરતો હતો અને આજે કારખાનામાં રજા હોવાનું ઘરે હોય બપોરના સમયે સિંહ જોવા ગયો હતો. ઘટનાને પગલે જાફરાબાદ પંથકમાં ચકચાર મચી ગઇ હતી.

સિંહ લોકોની સામે અડીખમ ઉભો રહ્યો :

અહિં સિંહણ ભુરા પરમાર પર હુમલો કરી તેને બાવળની કાંટમાં ઢસડી ગયા બાદ સિંહ જાણે ચોકીપેરો કરતો હોય તેમ ખુલ્લી જગ્યામાં સામે અડીખમ ઉભો રહ્યો હતો. જેને પગલે ભાગીને દુર ગયેલા લોકો ફરી નજીક જઇ ભુરા પરમારને બચાવવાની હિંમત પણ કરી શક્યા ન હતાં.

કાળઝાળ ગરમીમાં સિંહણે મગજનો પારો ગુમાવ્યો :

બપોરના અઢી વાગ્યાની કાળઝાળ ગરમીમાં સિંહ યુગલ બાવળના છાંયડે બેઠુ હતુ પરંતુ આકરા તાપના માહોલમાં લોકોએ છંછેડતા સિંહણે મગજનો પારો ગુમાવ્યો હતો. અને એકદમ ઝનુની બની ભુરા પરમાર પર તુટી પડી હતી.

યુવકની લાશના ટુકડા જાફરાબાદ દવાખાને લવાયા :

વન તંત્રની તપાસ દરમીયાન સાંજે સિંહણ બાવળની કાંટમાંથી દુર ચાલી ગઇ હતી અને તે સ્થળે ભુરા પરમારના શરીરના જુદા જુદા પાંચ ટુકડા છુટા છવાયા વખિરાયેલા પડ્યા હોય વન તંત્રએ તેને ગાંસડીમાં બાંધી પોસ્ટ મોર્ટમ માટે જાફરાબાદ દવાખાને લાવતા ભારે કરૂણાના દ્રશ્યો સર્જાયા હતાં.

પ્રેમાલાપ વખતે સાવજને છંછેડવો જોખમી :

સિંહ યુગલને સમાગમ વખતે કે પ્રેમાલાપ વખતે છંછેડવુ ભારે જોખમી બની જાય છે. આવા સમયે વન વિભાગનો સ્ટાફ પણ સાવજોથી દુર રહે છે. પરંતુ આ વાતથી અજાણ લોકો ક્યારેક સિંહ યુગલની નજીક જવાની હિંમત કરી બેસે છે. જેના માઠા પરિણામો ભોગવવા પડે છે. ધોળાદ્રીમાં પણ આવું જ થયાનું કહેવાય છે.

Lions, cheetahs to share forest land in MP? SC will decide

17-04-2012
Lions, cheetahs to share forest land in MP? SC will decide
Times of India By Nitin Sethi
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Lions-cheetahs-to-share-forest-land-in-MP-SC-will-decide/articleshow/12697257.cms

Should India implant the Namibian cheetah in Madhya Pradesh or the 'Gujarati' lion? The decision is now to be made by the Supreme Court with wildlife experts and government agencies unable to come to a decision.

The case for taking some lions from Gujarat - home to the last remaining wild population of the grassland big cat -- to Palpur-Kuno in Madhya Pradesh has been hanging fire in the apex court for seven years now. The issue has got muddled further with the Union government deciding to import the cheetah from Namibia and attempt to make the same forest patch a home to the animal that went extinct in India in 1947. Not to forget the tiger already resides in the same forests.

The court's final order could also push the line on how far the judiciary and the Centre can intervene in matters of wildlife conservation with the subject being in the concurrent list of the Constitution.

To compound the matter further, Gujarat has made the lion a matter of pride and does not want to part with even a few animals from the Gir wildlife sanctuary. Gujarat has argued that the lions are doing just fine in Gir, in fact growing in numbers, and Madhya Pradesh has a bad track-record with tigers. It also pointed out that the Union government has decided to introduce the cheetah after importing it from Namibia and this should be done before the lions are taken, if at all.

The MP government has pitched its hat in the ring for both the animals. It claimed the forest patch in MP has a better prey base for the lion which is cramped in the relatively small Gir wildlife sanctuary and it has prepared the grounds for long - including relocating people years ago.

The original move to translocate lions from Gir was begun by the Union environment ministry with worries that the single population could be wiped clean in case an infectious disease spread through the region and a small group should be reared separately in Madhya Pradesh

But now there are wildlife activists advocating for the cheetah as well. The Union environment ministry gave a nod to this wild cat a year back even though there was opposition internally to bringing another carnivore back into India, with its attendant large international funding and high profile and intensive requirements, when its already difficult to manage the existing tiger population.

The internal apprehensions were over-ridden by the then environment minister who supported the wildlife groups promoting the cheetah.

Mating lion attacks Maldhari

17-04-2012
Mating lion attacks Maldhari
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Mating-lion-attacks-Maldhari/articleshow/12697476.cms

After killing a cub, it was the turn of a Maldhari to fall prey to a mating pair in Dhari region in Gir east.

On Monday, Maya Natha, a Maldhari was taking his cattles for grazing when he was attacked by a mating lion. The Maldhari has been admitted to the hospital.

Officials said that Natha along with his brother was heading with his herd of buffalos when accidentally he went close to a mating pair. The lion, sensing trouble, immediately pounced on the Maya Natha and injured him.

The irritated lion then left and sat under a tree. Natha was admitted to the Civil Hospital in Amreli and his condition was said to be stable.

This was the second such attack in the last four days. Earlier, a four-month old cub was killed by a loner lion when it was not allowing it to come close to the lioness. Officials said that according to the information, the Maldhari unaware of the pair went too close to the pair and he was attacked.

Officials said if the lion is with a lioness, he always percieves anyone nearby as a possible threat. It was on Wednesday last week, when a cub was killed as he was too small to face the agitated lion.

Postmortem revealed that the cub had injuries in the skull, neck and even ribs. The nature of the injury suggested that the lion, even after killing the cub, would have flung it several times.

Equipped to shift Gir lions: MP govt to SC

17-04-2012
Equipped to shift Gir lions: MP govt to SC
Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/equipped-to-shift-gir-lions-mp-govt-to-sc/937602/

Madhya Pradesh on Monday told the Supreme Court that it has "all the necessary infrastructure, expertise and environment for translocating lions" from Gujarat's Gir to its Kuno Palpur sanctuary.

A Forest Bench of Justices K S Radhakrishnan and C K Prasad is hearing a petition on whether the Asiatic lions of Gir should be shifted to Kuno to avoid extinction of the endangered species in case of a calamity or disease.

Madhya Pradesh rejected the argument that it would not be a safe place for the lions as it has failed to preserve its tiger population in its Panna reserve.

It also rejected Gujarat's contention that shifting the lions was a bad idea because they do not co-exist with cheetahs and tigers.

At the last hearing Gujarat had opposed efforts by the Centre to translocate Asiatic lions from Gir sanctuary to Kuno.

Its counsel Shyam Divan had said that the state had sufficient infrastructure and will to conserve lions' population and it was not advisable to translocate them.

Modi, Chauhan in lion fight in SC

17-04-2012
Modi, Chauhan in lion fight in SC
Deccan Chronicle By S. S. Negi
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/north/modi-chauhan-lion-fight-sc-214

There seems to be no meeting point between the governments of two BJP stalwarts Narendra Modi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan on shifting of the Asiatic lions from Gir forests in Gujarat to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

While the Chouhan government on Monday furnished details about the preparatory steps taken with "active support" of the Centre for comfortable living of five to eight Asiatic lions in Kuno but the Modi administration was not ready to part with even a single big cat out of the improved population of 300 in Gir till the Centre's proposal for reintroduction of "Cheetaha" is successfully implemented in Kuno.

"Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary is ready to support five to eight lions as the availability of prey-base for their survival has been improved to 85 per sq km by implementing the first and second stage of measures. This is far higher than the prey-base of about 49 per sq km in Gir for a population of nearly 300 lions," MP's counsel Vibha Makhija told a special forest bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and C.K. Prasad.

While reeling out year-wise data from 2005 onwards about improvement of prey-base for "comfortable" living of Lion in Kuno, MP government counsel said due to the steps taken it had a phenomenal increase from 29 per sq km in 2006 to 85.91 in 2011. But the Gujarat government had relied upon 2006 data to oppose the transfer last week, she said, adding these figures were based on various reports of conservation experts.

Ms Makhija said the improvement has been achieved with the joint efforts of the Centre and the state government during past ten years with the Union government providing financial assistance of about `600 crores for the project envisaging three-phased implementation.

Lion in mating attacks youth at Undardi Ness near Khambha

17-04-2012
Lion in mating attacks youth at Undardi Ness near Khambha
Divya Bhaskar
http://epaper.divyabhaskar.co.in/rajkot/62/17042012/0/1/

MP pitches hard for shifting Asiatic lions from Gujarat

16-04-2012
MP pitches hard for shifting Asiatic lions from Gujarat
Zeenews
http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/mp-pitches-hard-for-shifting-asiatic-lions-from-gujarat_770310.html

The Madhya Pradesh government Monday said Gujarat's opposition to the translocation of Asiatic lions from Gir forests should be rejected because the state has already done the preparations to house the big cats in Kunopal sanctuary.

Appearing for the Madhya Pradesh government, counsel Vibha Makhija told the Supreme Court's forest bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and C.K. Prasad that funds have already been spent on making the Kunopal sanctuary habitable for the Asiatic lions as per the project conceived in 1992.

Makhija said Uttar Prasdesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh were chosen to identify the sanctuary and it was Kunopal sanctuary that was finally identified for translocation of the lion.

The Gujarat government earlier this month told the Supreme Court that it could not consent to the shifting of its Asiatic lions from Gir forests as there was no proper study on translocation of the big cats.

The apex court was told that "Gujarat's objection to the translocation can't be permitted".

"All experts have agreed to the desirability and urgency of the project. It is not a national but an international project."

Justice Prasad said it was not the "desirability" but the "necessity".

The move to shift some of the Asiatic lions from Gir forest was made by the wild life experts fearing that the entire lion population would get extinct because of some genetic, environmental reasons or outbreak of an epidemic.

The Madhya Pradesh counsel said that for preparing Kunopal sanctuary, 24 villages have already been shifted.

On the availability of the water bodies, the court was told that there were several of them and Kuno river flowed through the sanctuary that constantly recharges water bowls.

Makhija disputed the Gujarat government argument on the competence and will of Madhya Pradesh to protect and nurture the wild beast and said tigers that were once lost in the area were now flourishing in Panna tiger reserve.

The arguments will continue April 23.

IANS

MP, Gujarat spar in SC over translocation of lions

16-04-2012
MP, Gujarat spar in SC over translocation of lions
IBNLIVE
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/mp-gujarat-spar-in-sc-over-translocation-of-lions/986857.html

Madhya Pradesh today pitched in with a plea in the Supreme Court for translocation of Asiatic lions from Gujarat to its Kuno Palpur sanctuary, insisting it has all the wherewithal to ensure harmonious environment to the threatened species. State counsel Vibha Datta Makhija told a special forest bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and C K Prasad, that Madhya Pradesh had "all the necessary infrastructure, expertise and environment for translocating the lions" to its own sanctuary. She disputed the argument of Gujarat that Madhya Pradesh would not be a safe place for the lions as the State failed to preserve its own tiger population in the Panna reserve forest. Vibha told the bench that contrary to Gujarat's claim that there was no tiger population left in Madhya Pradesh, the Panna Reserve today could boast of 16 tigers owing to the sustained efforts made by the state to preserve it. She also repudiated the argument of Gujarat that shifting the lions to Madhya Pradesh was not ideal as they cannot co-exist with cheetahs and tigers. The counsel placed before the court purported findings of experts to establish the fact that these wild animals could co-exist. At the last hearing Gujarat opposed any effort by the Centre to trans-locate Asiatic lions from its Gir sanctuary to Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh. Appearing before the bench, senior counsel Shyam Divan had said the state had sufficient infrastructure and will to conserve the lions' population and it was not advisable to trans-locate them and pointed out that tigers have become extinct in Panna Reserve. The state said that instead efforts should be made for translocation of the extinct cheetah from South Africa to Kuno Palpur and only after sufficient time efforts if any should be made to add lions gradually to that sanctuary. (More)

Lovelorn lion kills cub

16-04-2012
Lovelorn lion kills cub
Times of India
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-15/ahmedabad/31345009_1_second-cub-lion-dhari

It was a crime of passion in the wild. A lonely lion killed a cub who was not allowing him to get close to the lioness who happened to be his mother.

Forest officials said the cub was too small to face the agitated lion. The cub was about four to five months old, the officials said. The incident came to light on Wednesday morning when the staff found this cub in Dhari taluka of Amreli. There were fresh stains of blood when the cub was recovered.


Officials said postmortem revealed that the cub had injuries in the skull, neck and even ribs. The nature of the injury suggested that the lion, even after killing the cub, would have flung it several times.

He said the staff, who was in the field, have said that a lioness with two cubs was spotted moving in Dalkhania range. But for the last two days, she was spotted moving with just one cub. The loner lion was also spotted moving in the periphery of the lioness. Officials said the infighting was only for the mating.

The incident took place late in the night, said officials, adding that the two cubs may be coming close to the pair. However, officials further said that it is a surprise as to how the second cub was saved.

"Such incidents are common in the sanctuary, but the fact that the lion attacked the cub even after killing it is something very rare. The cub, when it is newborn, would never leave the mother. This in turn would keep away the lion. This leads to attack," a forest official said.

Leopard attack at Chivad village near Dhari

16-04-2012
Leopard attack at Chivad village near Dhari
Divya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-leopard-attack-on-youth-chivad-3116553.html

ચીવડમાં યુવાન પર દીપડો ત્રાટક્યો

ધારી તાલુકાના ચીવડ ગામે આવેલ વાડીમાં કામ કરી રહેલા એક શખ્સ પર દીપડાએ હુમલો કરી ઘાયલ કરી દેતા શખ્સને ૧૦૮ની મદદથી સારવાર માટે પ્રથમ ધારી દવાખાને અને બાદમાં વધુ સારવાર માટે અમરેલી સિવીલ હોસ્પિટલમાં ખસેડવામાં આવ્યા છે. દીપડાએ કરેલા હુમલાની આ ઘટના ધારી તાલુકાના ચીવડ ગામે બની હતી.

જ્યાં હરેશભાઇ વિસામણભાઇ વાળા (ઉ.વ.૩૭) નામના કાઠી શખ્સ પોતાની વાડીએ કામ કરી રહ્યાં હતા ત્યારે અચાનક દીપડાએ તેમના પર હુમલો કર્યો હતો. હોહા દેકારો મચી જતા આજુબાજુની વાડીમાં કામ કરી રહેલા લોકો દોડી આવતા દીપડો નાસી ગયો હતો.

દીપડાએ હરેશભાઇને પાછળના ભાગે, હાથ તેમજ માથા પર ઇજા પહોંચાડી ઘાયલ કરી દીધા હતા. તેઓને ૧૦૮ની મદદથી સારવાર માટે પ્રથમ ધારી દવાખાને ખસેડવામાં આવ્યાં હતાં. અને બાદમાં વધુ સારવાર માટે અમરેલી સિવીલ હોસ્પિટલ ખાતે રફિર કરવામાં આવ્યાં હતાં.

આ અંગે વનવિભાગને જાણ કરવામાં આવતા ડીએફઓ અંશુમન શર્માની સુચનાથી આરએફઓ રાણપરીયા સહિત સ્ટાફ ઘટના સ્થળે દોડી આવ્યો હતો. અને દીપડાને ઝડપી લેવા પાંજરા ગોઠવવાની વ્યવસ્થા કરી છે. બીજી બાજુ દીપડાના હુમલાના વધતા બનાવથી વાડીમાં કામ કરતાં લોકોમાં ફફડાટ વ્યાપી ગયો છે.

Fun Facts About Lions

14-04-2012
Fun Facts About Lions
OurAmazingPlanet
http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/2760-lion-facts-oapmp.html

A pride of African lions in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus: Panthera

Species: Panthera leo

Subspecies: P. leo leo (African lion), P. leo persica (Asiatic lion)

Overview:

Known as the only truly social cats, lions live a nomadic lifestyle in groups called prides, with a pack mentality that is usually led by the females.

Lions have golden yellow fur, and the adult male lions have shaggy manes that range in color from blond to reddish to black. The color appears to depend on a lions age, genetics and hormone levels.

Male lions grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length and usually weigh around 330 to 550 pounds (150 to 250 kilograms), while female lions are smaller, growing up to 9 feet (2.7 m) in length and weighing between 265 to 395 pounds (120 to 180 kg), according to the National Zoo. A lion's tail adds another 2 to 3 feet to their length (0.6 to 1 m). Adult lions stand about 3.5 to 4 feet high at their shoulders. (Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions)

Lions' bodies are built for hunting: They are strong and compact, with strong forelimbs and jaws that help them bring down their prey.

Lions mostly eat large animals, such as zebra and wildebeest. They also steal from other predators such as hyenas and leopards. Females are the primary hunters in a pride.

Female lions mate about every two years, giving birth to one to six cubs after a three-and-half-month gestation period. About 60 to 70 percent of cubs die within the first year of their life. Females cooperate in raising a pride's cubs.

In the wild, male lions live about 12 years, while females live about 15. Zoo lions can live longer, into their 20s.

Prides can have as many as 40 individuals, including adult females, sub-adults (about 2 to 4 years old), cubs and one or two attached male lions.

Females stay in their mother's prides their entire lives, unless food shortage forces the pride to fracture. Males, however, are forced out of their pride when they are old enough to compete with the dominant males.

Male lions will roam in groups, usually made up of related individuals, and search for prides to take over. Males typically only live in a pride for two to three years before being forced out by another group.

Male and female lions mark their territory with urine and by roaring.

Where they live:

Lions once lived across Europe, Africa and North America, but they are now found primarily in Africa. They range from the southern border of the Sahara to the northern parts of South Africa. They dwell in the savanna habitat.

A small population of about 300 lions can be found in the Gir Forest of western India, according to the National Zoo.


A male Asiatic lion, a critically endangered animal found only in Gir National Forest in India.CREDIT: Lion image via Shutterstock

Conservation status:

African Lion – Vulnerable

Asiatic Lion – Critically Endangered

Lions face threats from hunting, habitat loss and diseases that can be spread from domestic dogs in nearby villages, according to the National Zoo.

The population of African lions has been almost cut in half in the past two decades because of retaliatory killings by farmers (whose livestock the lions eat), as well has trophy hunting and habitat loss.

Human encroachment on habitat has left the Gir population of lines highly endangered.

Odd facts:

Tigers are the closest relative to lions.

Lions are the second largest of the big cats, after the tiger.

A lion's roar can be heard up to 5 miles (8 kilometers) away, according to the National Zoo.

A male lion's mane protects it when it fights.

At short distances, lions can run 50 mph (80 kph). They can jump as far as about 36 feet (11 m).

Asiatic lions have skimpier manes than their African cousins and have a characteristic skin fold on their belly, according to the WWF. An African lions' ears are always hidden by its mane, while an Asiatic lions ears are visible.

Female lions will copulate on average 3,000 times for each cub that survives for a year.

Other resources:

IUCN Red List - Lions

Smithsonian National Zoo - Lions

WWF - Lion

WWF – Asiatic Lion

AsiaticLion.org

Gujarat offers 500 hectare of land in Junagadh for second UMPP

13-04-2012
Gujarat offers 500 hectare of land in Junagadh for second UMPP
Economictime By Mitul Thakker
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com//articleshow/12648209.cms

The government of Gujarat has identified and agreed to allocate 500 hectare of land for second 4,000 mw ultra mega power project (UMPP) in the state. After exploring Jamnagar and Kutch districts in past couple of years, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) zeroed in on Lodhva village in Junagadh district, better known for Asiatic lions and Geer forest.

On Thursday, a four-member team including CEA chief engineer MS Puri and representatives from Power Finance Corporation and a consulting firm held meeting with government of Gujarat officials in Gandhinagar.

Early this year, Tata Power already commissioned its first imported coal fired 800 mw unit of its UMPP at Mundra. Proposed project in Junagadh district will be the second UMPP in the state. Junagadh UMPP too will be based on imported coal. Contracts for UMPP at Sasan, Tilaiyya and Krishnapatnam have been awarded to Anil Ambani led Reliance Power. However, Reliance Power is yet to progress as per the original plans.

"Only Gujarat has been able to facilitate UMPP commissioning successfully in entire India. And CEA wants to set up yet another UMPP in a bid to achieve its 12 th Five Year Plan targets. We will take some three months before making final offer to the CEA," principal secretary for energy and petrochemicals of government of Gujarat DJ Pandian told ET. Commenting on Gujarat becoming lead buyer for yet another UMPP, Pandian said, "Gujarat has sufficient power generation capacity of 13,500 mw and we are expected to achieve 18,000 mw more in next couple of years. We will opt for becoming a lead buyer only if the tariff is attractive."

It may be mentioned here that Gujarat will avail 1,900 mw of power from Tata once Mundra UMPP becomes fully operational. Tata that was supply power for Rs 2.26 to beneficiary states is seeking escalation of Re 1 following the change in coal price regime in Indonesia. The government of Gujarat is opposing Tata' move.

A top government official with the department of energy said, "Originally, CEA wanted 648 hectare of land for the project. However, we have identified 490-500 hectare of land of which 20% is under private ownership. We have assured CEA team to assist the developers in getting right of use and right of way among other approvals." He added that the CEA has already conducted majority of the studies and it will invite bids once government of Gujarat acquires and allocates the land.

Gujarat's 2nd ultra mega power plant to come up in Junagadh

13-04-2012
Gujarat's 2nd ultra mega power plant to come up in Junagadh
Times of India By Rajiv Shah
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/Gujarats-2nd-UMPP-to-come-up-in-Junagadh/articleshow/12641875.cms

Government of India conveyed to the Gujarat government on Thursday that it is all set to begin the procedure for setting up the second ultra mega power plant (UMPP) in the state within three months. Central government officials in Gandhinagar on Thursday told state officials that time has come for the latter to be ready with offers on cost of land and infrastructure facilities like water, port and permissions like right of way and right of use, needed to implement the Rs 20,000 crore project.

A high-level delegation consisting of senior officials of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and the National Power Finance Corporation Ltd said they had "finalized" 500 hectares of land for setting up UMPP at Lodhwa village in Junagadh district and will now begin implementing the project.

Lodhwa has been preferred over two other locations CEA had considered - one in Jamnagar district near Dwarka and another at Kandla.

To be a 4,000 MW imported coal-based project, Gujarat became the first state in India where Government of India has decided to set up the second UMPP. Phase one of the first UMPP (800 MW) has been implemented by the Tata Power at Mundra in Kutch district.

"We have earmarked the land needed by CEA to set up the second UMPP. Certain mining issues need to be sorted out before handing over the land," said a senior government official.

During discussions, the Central team, led by chief engineer, CEA, M S Puri said the layout plan for the second UMPP has been completed. "We were told that the bidding process, including requests for expressions of interest in the project, will now commence," the official said.

Already, a surplus power state by 2,000 MW, Gujarat government officials are not sure on whether to sign a power purchase agreement with the proposed developers of the second UMPP. "We may decide on it after looking into the cost at which the developers will sell power," the official said.

Currently, power plants in Gujarat have the capacity of 13,500 MW. The place where the second UMPP is to come up is next to the proposed multi-purpose port being developed by Shapoorji Pallonji at Chhara in Junagadh district.