Saturday, August 03, 2013

Shivraj may snatch Gujarat’s lions, steal Modi’s thunder

24-07-2013
Shivraj may snatch Gujarat’s lions, steal Modi’s thunder
The Times of India
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-24/flora-fauna/40770512_1_asiatic-lions-kuno-palpur-translocation

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is engaged in an apparent game of one-upmanship with his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi, is likely to steal his thunder further if the neighbouring state gets final approval from the Supreme Court for the translocation of some Gir lions to MP.

(Lions roaming at the Gir National Park located in Junagadh district on Sunday. The park is closed for visitors in monsoon season, considered good for lions' breeding.Photo)

The project for creating a second home for the Asiatic lions in Kuno Palpur is finding favour with the government of India and tilting the balance against Gujarat in its final battle to remain the only state that boasts of being the habitat of the king of the jungle.

The SC had on April 15 okayed the translocation of lions from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh and directed that this be done in six months (October 15). On the day of the judgment, an excited Chouhan had tweeted, "I welcome Supreme Court's verdict on Asiatic lions. We are well-equipped to welcome them in their new home." The Gujarat government had filed a review petition on May 13 but failed to get a stay.

Chouhan continued being pro-active on this matter and his government sent three reminders in the last three months for convening a meeting of the experts group, as directed by SC. The Centre has finally convened a meeting in New Delhi on July 29.

The 12-member committee has just been formed and the meeting will be chaired by Dr Rajesh Gopal, additional director general, forest (wildlife), an officer who has worked extensively in MP. The other committee members are also overwhelmingly in favour of the relocation plan drawn up by the Wildlife Institute of India at Dehradun.

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