The lion’s second coming

29-09-2013
The lion's second coming
The Hindu
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/the-lions-second-coming/article5176419.ece

Resting in Gir: Lions in a pride adapt to newer pastures with ease. Photo: N. Shiva Kumar

An expert committee has been set up to expedite the smooth translocation of some Asiatic Lions from the Gir forest in Gujarat to the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh

The large carnivores of India seem to be caught in controversies all the time. Not a single day passes without news in the print or electronic media about leopards being bludgeoned to death, tigers being poached for body parts or snow leopards being hunted for their precious pelt. Two other issues that hit the headlines recently were the shifting of lions (Panthera Leo Persica) from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh and of cheetahs into the wild.

"It's like a life insurance policy; we do not take an insurance policy expecting to die but we do so to protect against unexpected events. Similarly, a second home will provide protection against extinction for the free-ranging Asiatic lions, which is an integral part of India's unique and diverse natural heritage," says Dr. Ravi Chellam, a senior wildlife ecologist who has studied the Asiatic lion from close range for many years in the Gir forest — the last remaining home of the big cat.

It has been nearly six months since the Supreme Court passed a verdict on April 15 to guarantee a safe and sound second home for the beleaguered Asiatic lion; however, not much appears to have happened on the ground. The idea is to translocate a selected pride of lions to ensure the long-time survival of the endangered species. To expedite this long-drawn project, that that has been lingering for decades and have seen huge expenditure, to create a second habitation in Madhya Pradesh, the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoEF) has constituted a 12-member committee.

Chaired by MoEF's Additional Director General (ADG), Wildlife, the committee will decide the final course of action to shift lions from Gir Forest National Park to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 1,269 sq km. This team consists of wildlife experts who will not only look into the systematic arrangements for transporting the lions, but will also study threat perceptions to these big cats in their new home. The committee members include Chief Wildlife Wardens (CWW) of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, Member Secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and other flora and fauna experts like Dr. A.J.T. Johnsingh, Y.B. Jhala, Dr. Ravi Chellam, P.R. Sinha and N.K. Ranjeet Singh. This committee can also co-opt more specialists for the proceedings so that any loopholes in the plans can be plugged in the nascent stage.

One of the major doubts raised by many independent wildlife experts and activists is the availability of prey base, i.e. antelopes and deer in the new location. It has been estimated that the energy or prey requirements of a carnivore can be determined using body weight; consequently a female lion kills about 40 to 45 animals per year, consuming 2,000 kg of meat which is equivalent to 3,000 kg of live prey for mere maintenance. When raising two to three cubs, the mother lion would need 60 to 75 prey animals per year. Assuming that 50 wild animals can support one lion for one year, on average, then five lions (three females and two males) will require a total of 250 wild animals per year.

In this context, the favourite food of lions includes chital (spotted deer), sambhar, nilgai (blue bull), chinkara, wild boar and even langur that are available in ample numbers in the new location, according to field studies conducted over the years. One wildlife expert has recommended that the three female and two male lions should be initially introduced into Kuno only after ensuring that the prey base is greater than required.

While the subject of Asiatic lions' translocation is hanging fire, a seven-day photo exhibition titled 'Landscape of the Lions' is being organised in the Capital's India International Centre by ace lensman Ashok Dilwali.

The exhibition will coincide with the Wildlife Week celebrations in the first week of October and the show will culminate in a pictorial-talk titled 'Present and the Past Homeland' by Sharad Khanna and Faiyaz A. Khudsar, both wildlife enthusiasts, followed by a public debate on October 5.

Forest department harassing farmers, Porbandar MP alleges

23-09-2013
Forest department harassing farmers, Porbandar MP alleges
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Forest-department-harassing-farmers-Porbandar-MP-alleges/articleshow/22951125.cms

BJP MP from Porbandar Vitthal Radadia came down heavily on forest department officials for harassing farmers living in and around Gir forest.

Addressing a farmers meet in Rajkot on Monday, he said, "Farmers have been booked under serious charges whenever lions have died. In that case the forest officials should be booked for murder whenever a farmer is killed in an attack by a lion."

Radadia said this in presence minister of state for environment Govind Patel.

Radadia also raised the issue of crop destruction by nilgais and wild boar. "Farmers have to keep a vigil for 24 hours. We have requested the state government to take immediate action in this regard,'' he said.

During the last two months, three lions were killed around Gir. Two died after being electrocuted and one died after consuming water mixed with fertilizer.

It is alleged that farmers use electric fencing to ward off wild animals, especially nilgais and wild boar, but it is leopards and lions that get electrocuted.

"The state government should revoke all these cases filed against the farmers in connection with the wildlife deaths,'' demanded Radadia.

He suggested that the government set up a separate unit to capture wild boar and nilgais and release them in the forest.

He also sought more power supply to the farmers.

Unravelling the Sidi community

19-09-2013
Unravelling the Sidi community
Deccanherald
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/357952/unravelling-sidi-community.html

A writer is forever in the search of subjects – new, unknown, unusual and interesting. So is a photographer who wants to tell stories through her photographs.

So one can imagine Mumbai-based lenswoman Ketaki Sheth's surprise and sense of accomplishment when she discovered the Sidis – a small group of Indians of African descent – while on a family holiday to the Gir forests, Gujarat.

Of all the diverse racial, religious and linguistic groups that India houses, the Sidis are extraordinarily fascinating. They are believed to be descendents of African soldiers, slaves, traders and Muslim pilgrims who wound up in India over centuries. The first wave is believed to have arrived in the 9th century when Arab-led armies with African soldiers took over Sindh, now in southern Pakistan. The second followed in the 17th C. when the Portuguese brought slaves from their trading posts in Africa to Goa, their colony in India.


What is most interesting about Sidis is that over time they have so beautifully assimilated in the Indian culture that some have converted to Hinduism, follow Indian traditions, speak Hindi and Gujarati, have taken to Indian cuisines and consider themselves 'Indians.' All that remains of their African origins is their dance-music ritual, the famous 'Siddi Goma.'
After her stunning find, Ketaki Sheth went on to hunt for the Sidis in remote towns and villages of Gujarat and Karnataka. She spent no less than seven years in their habitations and developed such an easy relationship with them that the shy Sidis would happily pose for her photo documentary on the community A Certain Grace: The Sidi, Indians of African Descent.

She came out with a book titled the same earlier this year; now, she is showcasing these black and white evocative photographs at the National Gallery of Modern Art, till November 3.

The exhibition is largely portraits of Sidi men, women and children. So there are girls giggling away to glory with the backdrop of their sparse hutments in Jambur, Gujarat. Young Sidi boys strike a handsome pose against the Arabian Sea in Surat and an aged woman sits with her sixth grandson in her lap in Ratanpur.  

A young Sidi girl gets ready to attend a marriage in a traditional Indian salwar-kam­e­ez and jewellery. A newlywed couple are greeted with a chadar over their head.

Ketaki's pictures, though, also highlight the Sidis customs of African origin. A woman undergoes exorcism with a fallen tree lying on her body. Sidis worship their saint Bawa Gor at a masjid in Ratanpur and a dancer breaks a coconut on his head while performing the Siddi Goma dance in Sachin, Gujarat.

'A Certain Grace…' makes for a fascinating exhibition. Not to be missed.

When Modi is victor, Gir lions are the sufferers

17-09-2013
When Modi is victor, Gir lions are the sufferers
Indialeak
http://www.indileak.com/when-modi-is-victor-the-gir-lions-are-the-suffers/

Congress aversion to Narendra Modi is understandable but stooping down to the level of settling political scores with him through the majestic pride of the nation, the Asiatic lion, is simply incomprehensible. This is exactly what the Congress-led UPA government did with the lions of Gir forest in Gujarat.

What an irony. Politics is preying on Asiatic lions in Gujarat

Sample this: on November 22, 2011, In reply to a question asked by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Parshottam Rupala on the allocation of funds for lion conservation, Union minister for environment and forests Jayanthi Natarajan said that the Planning Commission had approved the project 'Long-term Conservation of Asiatic Lions' in the greater Gir region of Saurashtra and directed the ministry to support it as a Centrally-sponsored scheme.

Thereafter on December 1, 2011, again in reply to a question by Bharatsinh Parmar over allocation of funds, Natarajan stated that the Planning Commission, on January 13, 2010, had accorded in-principle its approval.

Followed by this, on March 12, 2013, Parmar was told that the ministry has not taken a decision on granting the funds for the project.

What an irony. Politics is preying on Asiatic lions in Gujarat as in less than 20 months, the Union ministry of environment and forests has given different versions on the allocation of funds for the long-term conservation of lions in the greater Gir region.

In a recent written reply to Parmar and Rupala, Natarajan said that "the ministry has not taken any decision on granting the necessary funds for the specific purpose of conservation of lions in Gujarat."

She said that "the Gujarat government has submitted a project proposal titled 'Consolidating Long Term Conservation of Asiatic Lion in Greater Gir Region, Gujarat' for a period of five years amounting to Rs 262.36 crore for financial assistance."

The minister further said that the Centre had released financial assistance of Rs 6.75 crore during 2010-11 and Rs 6.76 crore during 2011-12 to Gujarat for part of the activities under the project. During 2012-13, as requested by the state government, the unspent balance of Rs 10.39 crore has been revalidated."

However, in November 2011, the Centre had said that the proposal on the Asiatic Lion conservation project received from the state government was forwarded by the ministry to the Planning Commission for its approval. The commission approved the project, subject to compliance with provisions of The Scheduled Tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

However, the Planning Commission did not provide additional funds for supporting the project, and advised the ministry that it be supported within the budget allocated for the Centrally-sponsored scheme of 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats'.

Later, the commission again accorded in-principle approval for the project. But, when the same question was raised in 2013, the government said that it was undecided on the funding.

Officials said after the poaching incident in March-April 2007 in Bhavnagar and Junagadh, the Gujarat government had come up with a report, 'Long term Conservation of Asiatic Lions in the greater Gir region of Saurashtra.'

Even the Planning Commission, last year, refused to allocate funds, saying that Asiatic lions are located only in Gujarat. It said that it will not allocate such a huge amount as lions are limited to a single state. The department was told to scale it down to Rs 150 crore.

Centre gives 3 different answers on grants for lion conservation

17-09-2013
Centre gives 3 different answers on grants for lion conservation
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Centre-gives-3-different-answers-on-grants-for-lion-conservation/articleshow/22651866.cms

November 22, 2011:In reply to a question asked by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Parshottam Rupala on the allocation of funds for lion conservation, Union minister for environment and forests Jayanthi Natarajan said that thePlanning Commission had approved the project 'Long-term Conservation of Asiatic Lions' in the greater Gir region of Saurashtra and directed the ministry to support it as a Centrally-sponsored scheme.

December 1, 2011: Again in reply to a question by Bharatsinh Parmar over allocation of funds,Natarajan stated that the Planning Commission, on January 13, 2010, had accorded in-principle approval.

March 12, 2013: Parmar was told that the ministry has not taken a decision on granting the funds for the project.

Politics is preying on Asiatic lions in Gujarat. In less than 20 months, the Union ministry of environment and forests has given different versions on the allocation of funds for the long-term conservation of lions in the greater Gir region.

In a recent written reply to Parmar and Rupala, Natarajan said that "the ministry has not taken any decision on granting the necessary funds for the specific purpose of conservation of lions in Gujarat."

She said that "the Gujarat government has submitted a project proposal titled 'Consolidating Long Term Conservation of Asiatic Lion in Greater Gir Region, Gujarat' for a period of five years amounting to Rs 262.36 crore for financial assistance."

The minister further said that the Centre had released financial assistance of Rs 6.75 crore during 2010-11 and Rs 6.76 crore during 2011-12 to Gujarat for part of the activities under the project. During 2012-13, as requested by the state government, the unspent balance of Rs 10.39 crore has been revalidated."

However, in November 2011, the Centre had said that the proposal on the Asiatic Lion conservation project received from the state government was forwarded by the ministry to the Planning Commission for its approval. The commission approved the project, subject to compliance with provisions of The Scheduled Tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. However, the Planning Commission did not provide additional funds for supporting the project, and advised the ministry that it be supported within the budget allocated for the Centrally-sponsored scheme of 'Integrated Development of WildlifeHabitats'.

Later, the commission again accorded in-principle approval for the project. But, when the same question was raised in 2013, the government said that it was undecided on the funding.

Officials said after the poaching incident in March-April 2007 in Bhavnagar and Junagadh, the Gujarat government had come up with a report, 'Long term Conservation of Asiatic Lions in the greater Gir region of Saurashtra.'

Even the Planning Commission, last year, refused to allocate funds, saying that Asiatic lions are located only in Gujarat. It said that it will not allocate such a huge amount as lions are limited to a single state. The department was told to scale it down to Rs 150 crore.

Gir a sanctuary for runaway couples too!

16-09-2013
Gir a sanctuary for runaway couples too!
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Gir-a-sanctuary-for-runaway-couples-too/articleshow/22619191.cms

 So, you thought Gir is the only safe haven for Asiatic lions alone? Ask cupids and you will find out that the last abode of Asiatic lions is a safe sanctuary for runaway couples too!

A few weeks ago, Kajal (20) from Visnagar andRohan (22) from Mehsana (names changed) were roaming around Girnar Mountain in Girnar Wildlife sanctuary trying to find a safe haven for themselves after running away from their homes. Food had not been a problem as they could eat at one of the Annakshetras (free food centres) run by charitable trusts but they wanted a place where they could stay for a while. But the two were soon nabbed by a police patrol that found that they had run away to get married against the wishes of their families.

Girnar, the abode of Asiatic lion, is also becoming the final destination of youngsters who elope. City Patrol Team (CPT) of Junagadh policehas been regularly coming across such cases in Girnar. "So far, we have registered four cases against such couples in the last one year under provisions of Gujarat Police Act for indecent behaviour in public. We also caught 48 youngsters in the jungle in compromising positions," said Razak Bhatti of CPT.

Sources said that number of such cases is higher as police and forest officials do not register cases against the eloping youngsters but try to convince them to return home.

"In most of the cases, which we catch them as suspects, ask the girls about their age, parents and check their mobile numbers. We contact their parents and inform them about their daughter's whereabouts. If we register cases, it might prove to be an embarrassment for the parents and lead to bad results,'' said an official.

Sources said that the youngsters believe that once they land in Girnar, no one would be able to trace them. But, the vigilant cops and forest officials have been tracking down these couples regularly.

Asiatic Lioness Electrocuted near Gujarat’s Gir Forest

11-09-2013
Asiatic Lioness Electrocuted near Gujarat's Gir Forest
India West
http://www.indiawest.com/news/13491-asiatic-lioness-electrocuted-near-gujarat-s-gir-forest.html

An Asiatic lioness was allegedly electrocuted by a farmer in his sugarcane field in Mathasuriya village along the Gir forest in Gujarat, department officials said Wednesday.

"Postmortem of the lioness confirmed that she died of electrocution," said District Conservator of Forest (Junagadh) Aradhana Sahu, adding no external injuries were found on the big cat whose carcass was found Tuesday.

Officials suspect the farmer, Bhimbhai Bhagavan Zankant, was behind the incident and they are conducting an inquiry against him under the Wild Life Act. "He will be detained after inquiry," they said.

The Asiatic lion, also known as the Indian lion, is a sub-species that exists as a single isolated population in Gujarat. It is listed as endangered.

According to K. Ramesh, the deputy conservator of forests (West Division), Gir Forest, this is second such incident from Giri Somnath district in the past one month. A lion was reportedly killed in similar fashion by a farmer at Moti Monpuri village in Junagadh district.

Read more at http://www.indiawest.com/news/13491-asiatic-lioness-electrocuted-near-gujarat-s-gir-forest.html#BSyjWHVqDC4BTgET.99

Asiatic lioness killed by farmer in Gujarat

11-09-2013
Asiatic lioness killed by farmer in Gujarat
The Hindu
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/asiatic-lioness-killed-by-farmer-in-gujarat/article5116318.ece

An Asiatic lioness was allegedly electrocuted by a farmer in his sugarcane field in Mathasuriya village along Gir Forest in Gujarat, department officials said on Wednesday.

"Postmortem of the lioness confirmed that she died of electrocution," said District Conservator of Forest (Junagadh) Aradhana Sahu, adding no external injuries were found on the big cat whose carcass was found on Tuesday.

Officials suspect that the farmer Bhimbhai Bhagavan Zankant was behind the incident and they are conducting inquiry against him under the Wild Life Act. "He will be detained after inquiry", they said.

The Asiatic lion, also known as the Indian lion, is a lion sub-species that exists as a single isolated population in India's Gujarat State. It is listed as Endangered by IUCN based on the small population size.

According to Deputy Conservator of Forests (West Division), Gir Forest, K. Ramesh, this is second such incident from Giri Somnath district in last one month. A lion was also killed in a similar fashion by a farmer at Moti Monpuri village in Junagadh district.

Hotels within 2-km radius of Gir National Park to face action

10-09-2013
Hotels within 2-km radius of Gir National Park to face action
Hospitalitybizindia
http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=17530&sid=1

Gujarat Forest Department has banned hotel constructions within the two-km radius of the Gir National Park and is now planning to crack down on the illegal hotels operating within the National Park stated a report filed by Himanshu Kaushik for The Times of India.

The increase in the number of tourists in the Park has led to an increase of commercial activities. The forest officials said that while there only 25-odd hotel properties before five years, they have increased to 34 in 2013. The officials said with the spurt in the hotel business around the National Park, there has been an increase in illegal activities as well. Several farm houses which were registered for individual use have converted themselves into hotels and guest houses.

Illegal hotels in Gir sanctuary face action

09-09-2013
Illegal hotels in Gir sanctuary face action
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Illegal-hotels-in-Gir-sanctuary-face-action/articleshow/22424687.cms

Hoteliers eyeing business opportunities around Gir sanctuary may not have many options left. The state forest department has banned such activities within the two-km radius of the sanctuary and is now planning to crack down on the illegal hotels operating within the sanctuary.

The increase in the number of tourists in the sanctuary has led to an increase in commercial activities. The forest officials said that while there only 25-odd hotel properties before five years, they have increased to 34 in 2013.

The officials said with the spurt in the hotel business around the sanctuary, there has been an increase in illegal activities as well. Several farm houses which were registered for individual use have converted themselves into hotels and guest houses.

"The department during the surveys found that there were 15 such farm houses which had been converted to guest houses. The officials have informed the district administration which has issued notices to these farm houses," said a senior official.

The official said the department had recently issued a notification restricting the setting up of any new hotel business in the two-km periphery of the sanctuary. The decision is aimed at giving Asiatic lions' free access to the Sasan Gir sanctuary and to protect their natural corridor.

The sanctuary witnessed a rise of 21 per cent in visitors during October 2012 - June 2013 season. The October-June season witnessed 21 per cent increase in number of visitors, 28 per cent rise in arrival of foreign tourists, and 19 per cent rise in revenue.

The officials said that a total of 4,16,000 tourists arrived in this season. The revenue of sanctuary was Rs 5.1 crore in this season. According to 2010 census, there are 411 lions in Gir jungle.

The officials said that ever since the advertisement featuring Amitabh Bachchan was aired, there has been an increase in the number of tourists in the sanctuary.

"This has also led to an increase in the number of hotel rooms in the region," said an official.

Forest department plans drive against live wire fences

08-09-2013
Forest department plans drive against live wire fences
The Times of India
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-08/ahmedabad/41873368_1_farmers-crops-visavadar

August 6: Five people arrested for electrocution of lion from a village in Visavadar.

August 10: Mavji Patodia arrested for electrocution of a neelgai in Visavadar.

August 13: Leopard electrocuted in Khodidara village in Junagadh when it jumped from a tree to make a kill and came in contact with live wire.

September 4: A neelgai died of electrocution in Chadawad village in Junagadh district.

AHMEDABAD: With the state, particularly the Saurashtra region, receiving heavy rainfall, the area under cultivation has increased considerably. This has not only raised hopes of a bumper crop but has also raised fears of man-animal conflict.

Officials of the forest department have launched a drive in Saurashtra region to create awareness among farmers about the dangers of using live wire fencing to keep standing crops safe from wild animals. The department has asked its teams to carry out intensive search operations and take action against farmers whose fields are found fenced with live wire.

Another officer said the department has asked the local electricity company to monitor power consumption in the area. The company has been asked to inform the forest department if it notices an unusual rise in power consumption in a particular area and the two would then together carry out combing operations, the officer said.

In the recent four incidents, a lion, two neelgais and a leopard were electrocuted when they came in contact with live wire illegally installed by the farmers to keep their crops safe from wild animals. When such wires kill animals, the farmers or the owners of the land dump the animal carcasses in nearby fields or waste land to show their deaths as 'accidents'.

The officials said that it was for this reason that the carcass of the lion electrocuted near a village in Visavadar on August 5 was found in a nearby river. "If the officials had not investigated the incident minutely, they would not have recovered the lion's hair from the field," said a senior forest department officer.

The officials later found live wire fencing at a nearby field during investigation. Local farmers had fenced their fields with the help of barbed wires that was also electrified. This practice is not new in the region. Whenever there is good rain, farmers resort to such illegal methods to protect their crops.

Experts say that the man-animal conflict is bound to increase as the population of neelgai and wild bore in the region has gone up, and increased fears that they would ruin standing crops. In response, farmers are bound to adopt electrified wires or similar illegal methods which will cause destruction of more wildlife.

Safe alternatives for farmers

Ahmedabad: Forest department officers say that farmers can fence their land with agave or mehendi plants as these keep the wild animals away but do not kill them. Deputy conservator of forests Kasuladev Ramesh said a farmer should dig a trench 1.2 metre-long, two feet wide and two feet deep. The mud should be mounted towards the field and have thorny fence or agave plantation. The thorny fence would attain a good height in a couple of years and would be able to prevent not just wild bore but even neelgai from entering the fields.

Wild bore, which move in groups, do not eat much but destroy the field. They cannot jump; hence the trenches would be effective in keeping them out. Another method is the ancient one of stonewall fencing. Ramesh said that a barbed fence is also a good option but it is expensive and farmers will have to get them replaced every five years because they start rusting.

Pride of the jungle

06-09-2013
Pride of the jungle
The Hindu
http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/travel/pride-of-the-jungle/article5100585.ece?homepage=true

A lioness at a drinking hole inside the sanctuary.

Come October, and season begins in Gir, the home of the fabulous Asiatic lion. Zerin Anklesaria was there recently and, thankfully, lived to tell the tale.

On a quiet night, so they say, the roar of an adult male lion can be heard five miles away. No such roaring welcome greeted us as we drove into Sasan Gir with the moon riding high, but we were certainly in lion country, with road signs pointing the way to Mane Land Jungle Lodge, Lion's Paw Resort, Pride of Gir, Elsa's Lair, and so on.

For me, this was a sentimental journey, for my father had served under the Nawab of Junagadh before Independence and as children we had visited Gir, staying in palatial grandeur at The Royal Hunting Lodge. The Nawab, a great animal lover, rarely hunted and it was chiefly maintained for Indian rajas and British VIPs for whom a lion was a prized trophy.

A party of 20 of us stayed there for four memorable days in sybaritic luxury. This was soon after the then Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow, had left. The cellars were still stocked with the choicest wines, and the larders with cheeses, jams and canned fruit from Australia. The chefs cooked up mind-boggling meats, game and desserts.

Six of us little girls were allotted the master bedroom where the centrepiece was an enormous double bed with an 8-inch box-spring mattress imported especially for the Viceregal couple. Far from prying adult eyes, we spent our evenings using it as a trampoline to see who could jump the highest. The bed survived the onslaught. The mattress did not.

The world outside presented a harrowing contrast. A single tarred road led to the hunting lodge, and the Forest Officer occupied the only other building. Jeep tracks meandered through the forest and the Maldhari herdsmen merged with the hard, brown earth, living in poverty with their cattle in villages scattered across the 1400 sq. km of the sanctuary. In this semi-desert region agriculture was impossible.

Coming here now what a difference I found. We drove in from Rajkot on ribbon-smooth roads to the peripheral areas of the sanctuary — all neat, well-planned and free of garbage. With tourism has come unimaginable prosperity. Accommodation ranges from dharamsalas and budget hotels to the lordly Taj; canals supply water for gardens and cultivation; and local children study at an English medium school.

Our first safari started off rather tamely. I had the front seat in the jeep and couldn't hear what the guide was saying. My information came solely from the grumpy driver who pointed out 'snake', 'deer', 'mongoose' and other uninspiring fauna in a single word. 'Budd' had me stumped, till he amplified. 'Peacock', he said.

It was just half an hour to closing time when we got the exciting news. A tracker came and whispered to the guide, who passed along the magic word 'lion'. We took our place in a line of jeeps and waited in reverential silence as if in church. At last it was our turn to enter the sanctum and we moved down a track deep into the jungle. There, under the shade of a tree, we came upon them, two lionesses and five cubs, feasting on a nilgai. A thrilling sight but a poor photo-op, for the evening sun cast too many shadows and the lionesses were sitting low in the long grass, while bits and pieces of cub flashed in and out of the frame three-quarters two pointy ears, half a puckered face, a raised paw, a tail tip.

Later we encountered two angry lionesses rearing up on their hind legs, clawing and snarling at each other. Photo-op? Alas no! They were so enraged that our jeep had to keep a safe distance.

Back at the resort, everyone was envious. Some unfortunates had spent a packet on as many as three safaris, and seen only monkey, deer, and, of course, 'budd'. Tourists often think that a lion sighting is guaranteed and, when disappointed, are vocal in their displeasure. A manager was once rudely roused from his slumbers by angry guests who had been out in vain since 5 a.m. They staged a gherao and shouted slogans, 'Paisa vasool, paisa vasool', demanding their money back.

The kings of the forest are as lazy as feudal monarchs. The male has only to guard his territory and propagate, which he does with maniacal zest. Everything else is left to the lioness. She must hunt for prey, feed and train her cubs and protect them from predators, including other lions. An adult male is the lord of his territory and eliminates all future rivals including his progeny, knowing that otherwise they will kill him when in their prime. The 'sons' in a pride are therefore highly prized, pampered and protected, both by their mothers and the Forest Officers. Patriarchy is as invidious in the jungle as outside it.

Lions are far more human-friendly than leopards or tigers, but only as long as one keeps within limits. In earlier days, the 'pagis' or traditional trackers, ever eager to display their affinity with the animal to visiting dignitaries, would place a handkerchief on the mane of a sleeping lion with the help of a stick, while another would retrieve it. However, one day, legend has it that the lion suddenly woke up, and both entertainment and entertainer came to a gory end.

Then there was the biker on his way to a local temple. Seeing a gorgeously maned specimen sitting quietly by the roadside, he whipped out his phone-camera and edged closer and closer until the lion took umbrage, and with a mighty swipe of its paw dispatched the foolish young man to the other world. In the jungle this lordly animal is king, and mere humans who disrespect his royal status pay a heavy price.

Six lions wander into Sasan railway station, kill calf

05-09-2013
Six lions wander into Sasan railway station, kill calf
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Six-lions-wander-into-Sasan-railway-station-kill-calf/articleshow/22305243.cms

 The railway employees at Sasan station were forced to stay indoors when sixAsiatic lions wandered in from the wild. After waiting for 15 minutes on the platform, the big cats moved out of the station and killed a calf.

It is rare for lions to come to the tracks and then gone on to the railway station. In this case, however, what was particularly interesting was that the six lions were not from one pride. Three were from the Kamleshwar dam site while the rest were from Raidi beat.

As news about the lions spread, people from Sasan village gathered near the site to watch the big cats feasting. For Sasan villagers, it is not new to see a lion but six lions eating a calf was something many had never seen. Forest officials were afraid of a law and order crisis and a possible attack by the lions. They had a hard time dispersing the crowd.

Kasuladev Ramesh, deputy conservator of forest, Gir West Division, said that after the villagers were dispersed, they closely examined the maggot wounds found on the body of three lions. During monsoon, maggot wounds are common problem among lions. The forest staff noticed the injury but as it was night, they were not able to carry out a rescue operation.

Help of veterinary doctors was sought in the morning. When they reached the spot along with rescue teams, the doctors treated two female and one male lion.

Modi, Chouhan continue sparring over translocation of lions

04-09-2013
Modi, Chouhan continue sparring over translocation of lions
India Today
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-translocation-of-asiatic-lions-asiatic-lion-gir-forests-kuno-palpur-sanctuary/1/305463.html

The frayed tempers between the Gujarat and the Madhya Pradesh government along with the judicial activism on the issue of the translocation of the Asiatic lion from its last abode in the Gir forests to the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in MP may not cool down anytime soon.

The hard-hitting Supreme Court verdict on April 15 forced the Gujarat government to agree to the translocation in what had become a fight for state pride and resulted in much jarring between the two BJP-ruled states.

In retaliation, Gujarat government filed a review petition in May. Although the verdict on the petition was still pending a 12 member committee was formed by the ministry of forest and environment for the translocation of lions. The panel, which met in Delhi on July 29 for a maiden meeting, comprised pro-shifting experts Ravi Chellam and Y V Jhala who are the brains behind the translocation plan to decide on the number of lions to be shifted.

Gujarat government had put forth its arguments against the move but environmentalists slammed it by saying that the lions were being caught in a political tussle between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Significantly, the battle over the translocation had taken an ugly turn. Modi had refused to entertain the request of his MP counterpart Chouhan government to agree to the translocation. Many government officials and local activists in Gujarat questioned that is conserving the lion really MP's aim or does it basically want to enhance its tourism?

Dineshgiri Goswami, green activist from Kodinar based Prakruti Nature Club, says "I do not think anybody is thinking about the lion but the battle is becoming more political. Forest officers appearing in court do not care for the lions." Goswami threatened self-immolation if lions are shifted.

As a much needed boost to the Gujarat government, a Mumbai based NGO, Empower Foundation, presented a study on lion translocation. They stated that lions should not be translocated and be allowed to migrate naturally. The study also found that the Gujarat government has not powerfully positioned the fact that the lion habitat in Gujarat goes much beyond Gir.

Over a period of time lions have migrated naturally hundreds of kilometers away to places like Amreli, Savarkundla, Liliya Porbandar, Paniya, Mitiyala, Barda, Una, Chhara, Sutrapada, Babariya, Kodinar, Visavadar, Hipavadli, Jamvada, Jasadhar, Girnar, Bhavnagar and Palitana.

"The 1,412 sq km abode of Asiatic lions has now spread across 10,500 sq km, thus mitigating concentration risk in one area," explained Jalpesh Mehta, founder chairman, Empower Foundation. Thus, the spread of an epidemic which was the primary argument of wildlife activists and biologists seeking translocation does not hold true, according to him.

One would not, however, undermine Gujarat's valid concerns about the security of the lions in Madhya Pradesh. Asiatic lions are listed as endangered by the IUCN due to their small population. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, C.N.Pandey says, "Success of lion conservation in Gujarat may largely be attributed to the tolerant, friendly and supportive local people. This is missing at Kuno Palpur."

Another major concern is that Madhya Pradesh is major poaching arena with a strong gun culture. According to several cases reported in the past the 'tiger state' lost its moniker when 453 tigers out of 710 (63% loss) were killed in last decade alone. The state as per the 2011 census has only 257 tigers left.

The loss of tiger in Madhya Pradesh was 50 per cent of the total loss of the tigers across the world. Palpur Kuno had 25 tigers earlier but reduced to a shameful figure of two in the present time. Sheopur district also has 4800 fire arm licenses for a population of six lakh. As these are licensed guns, one cannot assess the illegal fire arms present in the area.

Risks cannot be ruled out, but these risks must be taken considering the larger benefits for the species, feels Dr Rahul Kaul, Chief Ecologist, Wildlife Trust of India. He observes: "Long-term viability of lions or any other wildlife will benefit greatly if there are multiple populations. Restricting the animals to a single population, however big, can make them extremely vulnerable to stochastic extinctions."    

International Fund for Animal Welfare - Wildlife Trust of India (IFAW-WTI) has undertaken relocation of animals in the northeast India. "Working with the Assam Forest Department and Bodoland Territorial Council authorities, we have aided in reintroduction of rhinos in Manas after its entire population was wiped out during the civil unrest of 80s and 90s. With advancement of science and understanding, proper planning and effective implementation, the degree of success has increased and can be increased further. Anyway, in cases like these, the possibility of success must matter more than the fear of failure," says Kaul.  

Clearly in this battle MP has an upper hand but with the endangered animals at stake the issues may have become more political than ecological. And while one smile and the other sulks a species survival is at risk
.

Lions, temples, mangoes, Gir Somnath gets them all

31-08-2013
Lions, temples, mangoes, Gir Somnath gets them all
The Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/lions-temples-mangoes-gir-somnath-gets-them-all/1162615/

The creation of Gir Somnath by bifurcating Junagadh district, the land of Asiatic lions in Saurashtra, has not gone down well with some in Junagadh, but those falling in the new district are gleeful at the prospect of new possibilities.

Gir Somnath has been created by axing Una, Talala, Kodinar, Veraval and Sutrapada talukas away from Junagadh. However, small-scale protests are going on in Talala to retain Sasan Gir, the headquarters of state forest department which handles lion safaris, and a few other villages in Junagadh.

Even as the Gujarat government is fighting a legal battle against the translocation of lions to Madhya Pradesh, the protesters fear Junagadh will lose its identity if Sasan Gir, a village of Talala taluka, goes to Gir Somnath. Besides the famous Somnath temple, all major industrial complexes and a coastline, measuring 110-kilometre and dotted by eight ports, have already become part of the new district. The cement plant of Ambuja in Kodinar, arguably the biggest industrial establishment in the undivided Junagadh district, is now in Gir Somnath. Similarly, the cement plant of Gujarat Siddhi Cement Limited is also located in Sutrapada taluka. Indian Rayon, a major producer of viscose filament yarn of Aditya Birla Group, is based in Veraval town. Veraval also hosts a number of sea-food processing units.

However, without Gir forests as its part, the nomenclature of the new district will sound somewhat irrelevant. Local Congress MLA Jashubhai Barad is also against dividing Talala. "There is politics behind these protests. Those protesting the annexation of Sasan Gir, Bhalchhel, Haripur, Hiranvel and Bhojde villages into Gir Somnath are demanding not to divide Gir and Girnar. However, the residents of these villages want to be part of the new district and they are also demanding that Gir can't be taken away from them. So, the entire Talala taluka has to be with Gir Somnath," Barad says.

Incidentally, Talala is the largest producer and market of Kesar mango in the state. Barad says the creation of new district will augur well for the region. "There is tremendous potential to promote eco and religious tourism here. A tourism circuit covering Sasan Gir, Somnath and Diu needs to be developed with better infrastructure. While the cement industry has scope for further expansion, ports also need to be upgraded," the MLA says.

The new district has eight ports and harbours ?Veraval, Hirakot, Mul Dwarka, Madhvad, Kotda, Nava Bandar, Saiyad Rajapara and Dhamrej. It is likely to give a unitary identity to fisherman communities of Kharvas and and Kolis and facilitate their organisation as a political constituency. "So far we have been under-represented in politics and government. However, the new district will have a concentration of around 1.5 lakh Kharvas. This will help us get recognition as a political constituency," says Velji Masani, vice-president of Gujarat Fishermen Association.

Masani is also hopeful that the new administration will pay attention to the development of ports. "As of now Veraval port has the facility to harbour 1,000 fishing trawlers. However, there is a scope for its development and the expansion of its capacity to 2,500 trawlers. Dredging also remains a problem at this port. We hope the new administration addresses these issues," he adds.

Meanwhile, the new administration has identified cleanliness in Veraval town, the headquarters of the new district, as its top priority. "Besides being a port town, Veraval also sustains the rush of pilgrims at Somnath. So, cleanliness is a major problem. We shall put in place a system for solid waste management and lay under-ground drains on priority basis," Chandu Patel, collector of Gir Somnath, says.

Shree Somnath Trust, which manages Somnath temple enshrining Aadi jyotirling of Lord Shiva, expects improvement in connectivity to the temple. "We would welcome improvement in highways leading to the temple. We also need to develop some solutions to counter the smell emanating from fish drying yards of Veraval. They are sometimes hung near the temple premises," Pravin Laheri, secretary of the trust says.

According to Laheri, 30,000 pilgrims on an average visit the temple everyday.

Whether Sasan Gir stays with Gir Somnath or goes back to Junagadh, the collector of the new district will likely host a number of VIP visitors, including LK Advani, who comes to the shrine frequently for darshan.