250 lions dead over past 5 years in Gujarat

21-06-2014
250 lions dead over past 5 years in Gujarat
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/250-lions-killed-over-past-5-years-in-Gujarat/articleshow/36913884.cms

According to the May 2010 census, there are 411 lions in the state spread in the area of 10,000 sqkm.

Is the world's only abode of Asiatic lions in Gujarat under threat? The Gir wildlife sanctuary and its periphery have witnessed no less than 250 deaths of lions in the last five years. This has raised concerns over the safety of the big cats.

According to the May 2010 census, there are 411 lions in the state spread in the area of 10,000 sqkm. But according to 2013 statistics, lions are now spread in an area of 20,000 sqkm. Experts feel that the death of 250-odd lions is alarming. In 2012-13, the number of deaths was 48, which increased to 53 in 2013-14. Also, in the first three months, approximately 20 lions have died, including eight in accidents. Of these eight, six were run over by trains.

Experts feel that the increase in number of such cases is mainly in the category of unnatural death. This includes electrocution or falling in wells. Officials said that the death of 20-odd lions — over 40% — were because of unnatural deaths in the state.

Forest officials said "The death of 50-odd lions in the area is totally normal as the figures include that of the new born cubs where the survival rate was only 50%. Earlier, the maximum of two cubs were born to a lioness, but now the number has increased and it is on an average three to four cubs and hence the deaths are also more."

"There are high turnover rates (20%) in high density tiger populations that is lots of individual can die if lots are present. As long as the population shows a positive growth, individual deaths are not a cause of worry for the conservation of a species that has numbers over 150 individuals. Besides only deaths of prime age lions are of concern, in cubs 50% mortality is to be expected. Old lions will die by one cause or other, so when we have over 400 lions large number of deaths is expected, outside of forests most lion deaths get detected and reported.

Therefore, unless population shows a decline (estimated by a rigorous scientific method) individual deaths are not a cause of worry," said Yadvendradev Jhala, a scientist with Wildlife Institute of India and a researcher on big cats.

Pride endangered

Year No. of deaths

2009-1045

2010-1144

2011-1237

2012-1348

2013-1454

Total 228

Figures from April 1 to March 31

Lion cub run over by vehicle near Gir National Park

21-06-2014
Lion cub run over by vehicle near Gir National Park
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Rajkot/Lion-cub-run-over-by-vehicle-near-Gir-National-Park/articleshow/36945625.cms

A nine-month-old female lion cub has died after being run over by a vehicle near Gir National Park in Junagadh district.

Sources said that cub was run over on Wednesday night around 9pm but the forest department ensured that the news is kept under tight wraps. The incident occurred near Sangodra village, some seven km from Talala. Forest officials are more worried as the accident has occurred in the heart of lions' abode just near the national park. This is the first such lion death near the Gir National Park, the last abode of Asiatic lions.

Earlier, six lions have died in road and rail accidents in just last six months in Amreli district alone.

When asked about the incident, range forest officer, B K Parmar, told TOI that they are analyzing the registration numbers of all vehicles that have passed through this route on Wednesday night. It is mandatory for all vehicles to register their details at an entry point at Vaniya naka near Devaliya.

"In the past, we were successful in tracing a vehicle that had run over a spotted dear on the basis of vehicle number," said Parmar.

A senior forest officer told TOI "We have repeatedly written to the roads and building department to construct speed breakers at every 50 meters on certain stretches of the roads in the forest areas where movement of lions is frequent near Gir National Park. But they have not heeded to our requests."

PRIDE ENDANGERED

January 22: Two lionesses, one of them pregnant with three cubs, crushed by goods train near Pipavav port

February 22: A lion run over by goods train near Bhammar village in Savarkundla

April 1: Two lions run over by vehicle on Bhavnagar-Somnath highway

May 11: Seven-month-old lion cub run over by goods train near Bherai in Rajula

(Lion deaths in road, rail accidents in 2014)

India Railways Protect Asiatic Lions on the Tracks

14-06-201
India Railways Protect Asiatic Lions on the Tracks
Epoch Times
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/735764-indian-railways-take-measures-to-reduce-lion-mortality-on-tracks/

Seven year old Asiatic lion, Ambar looks on from inside his open enclosure at the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden in Ahmedabad on April 20, 2013. (Sam Panthaky/AFP/Getty Images)

The beautiful Gir forest of Gujarat remains the only abode of the majestic Asiatic Lion in the world. Hunted relentlessly and at risk of extinction, it was the Nawab of Junagadh who first afforded protection to the King of beasts in the early 1900s. Since then, owing to the combined efforts of the Government and the local populace, their numbers steadily increased from a meagre 180 in 1974 to 411 in 2010. But modern challenges continue to risk the survival of Asiatic Lions, one being the numerous railway tracks criss-crossing through the forests of Gir. Luckily though, shaken by the death of six lions this year on the railway tracks, the Western Railway Department has agreed to reduce the speed limit of the trains and bring other measures to prevent accidental lion deaths.

Lions have lived in the Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary as well as in surrounding areas outside the forest for centuries. The coastal regions of Rajula and Jafrabad towns of Amreli district, although beyond the protected boundaries are the permanent residence of around 100 to 150 lions. Thus, lions in Gujarat share much of the land area living alongside people.

But recently, following the death of 6 Asiatic lions on the railway tracks in the state, a series of meetings were by the forest department of Gujarat to address this issue. Later, a meeting held between the Gujarat Forest Department and the Western Railway Department in Mumbai yielded a positive outcome.

Some of the important steps taken to save lions from accidental train hits are,

Change Running Time

The Forest Department proposed to cease the running of goods trains in the morning and evening hours as the lions are most active during this time and regularly found on the railway tracks in Amreli district. In response the Railway Department has agreed to reschedule the timings of goods trains running on these tracks.

Slow Down

The forest officials also requested the railway authorities to reduce the speed limit of goods trains on this route from the current 100 km/hr to 30-40 km/hr. This reduction of speed will allow the goods train driver to spot the lions or their cubs on the tracks and stop or further reduce the speed of the train if required.

Protection Training

Among other additional measures, it was decided to provide training to more train drivers to instil the need for protection of these cats. This training would help them to know what to do if they find these felines on the tracks and how to keep them safe.

Fencing

The Chief Conservator of Forests of Gujarat, R.L Meena revealed that the barbed wire fencing of the 30 kilometre stretch along the railway tracks, where the lions are seen most frequently was also considered in the meeting.

Underpasses

Simultaneously, a passage running underneath the railway tracks would be constructed so as to enable the safe movement of the animals from one side of the railway tracks to another.

These are surely positive steps in reducing accidental deaths of the rare and endangered Asiatic lions on railway tracks. The joint effort of the forest department and the railway officials will ensure safety of the wild creatures.

This article was originally written and published by Shilpi Gemawat, a contributing writer for www.indiasendangered.com. Please click here for the original article and more information.

Madhya Pradesh tests Modi’s lion-transfer mood

16-06-2014
Madhya Pradesh tests Modi's lion-transfer mood
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Madhya-Pradesh-tests-Modis-lion-transfer-mood/articleshow/36623943.cms

The Madhya Pradesh government has forwarded a proposal for Rs 80 crore assistance to the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), for the lion conservation project to be taken up at Kuno-Palpur.

MP officials in the past had demanded the same amount from the 12-member lion expert group, which had been formed on the orders of the apex court. The court, in April last year, ordered the translocation of lions and formed the 12-member committee to facilitate this.

Sources in the forest department said that in its first communique after Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government has fired its first salvo and with the proposal to the MoEF, seeking funds to move Asiatic lions from Gujarat to Kuno-Palpur.

The proposal budget includes Rs 20 crore for infrastructure, like the construction of a hospital and procurement of vehicles and Rs 59 crore for relocation and rehabilitation of two more villages from within the Kuno sanctuary.

The MP government has already spent Rs 15 crore for relocation of 1,543 families from 24 revenue villages inside the sanctuary, while preparing the alternative habitat for Asiatic lions.

It now wants another Rs 59 crore for relocation of two more villages.

The MP government has said that the expert committee has asked the state to expand the sanctuary and have more villages relocated before the first pride of lions was shifted.

Based on the proposal from Madhya Pradesh, the Union government under a centrally-sponsored scheme — Development of National Parks and Sanctuaries —sanctioned and released Rs 15.45 crore in 2007-08 to pave the way for the translocation of lions despite protests from Gujarat.

Sources in the committee said that, so far, MP was demanding this money from the committee, but now it has forwarded this to the ministry. With Narendra Modi taking over as Prime Minister, MP wants to test if the funds are allocated or not.

"If the MoEF approves the allocation of Rs 79 crore, it will indicate that it is all for the translocation, but if it keeps the proposal on hold, it will be the first signal that the Centre was against the translocation and was waiting for the apex court to decide.

Gujarat government has already moved a curative petition in the Supreme Court as its last legal resort to retain all its Asiatic lions. Two Gujarat-based NGOs have also filed separate petitions challenging the translocation of lions to Kuno.

Gir forest to remain close during monsoon

16-06-2014
Gir forest to remain close during monsoon
Business Standard
http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/gir-forest-to-remain-close-during-monsoon-114061601053_1.html

The Gir National Park will remain close from Monday for next three months, forest officials said.

Located at Sasan in Junagadh district, the forest is abode of 411 Asiatic lions.

Deputy Conservator Gir National Park Sandeep Kumar said, "The sanctuary will be closed from today during monsoonseason and will be open for tourists after September 30. It will remain close for mating and breeding of mammals like lions, leopards and also for birds like peacocks, grey francolin, quail etc, as monsoon season is considered best for mating," he said. Last year, nearly 4.80 lakh tourists visited the sanctuary spread in 1,412 square kms area, famous for its Asiatic lions.

"Since we supervise the conservation efforts, we want to prevent any disturbance, which could also be caused by tourists during the breeding period," Kumar said adding forest authorities also monitor movement of wild animals during rains and also make rescue plans.

Lions outside Gir get radio collars

17-06-2014
Lions outside Gir get radio collars
The Times of India By Himanshu Kaushik
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Lions-outside-Gir-get-radio-collars/articleshow/36684910.cms

The Wildlife Institute of India with the sanction of Gujarat's forest department has radio-collared some lionesses which live outside Gir sanctuary to track their movements and behaviour.

 The Wildlife Institute of India with the sanction of Gujarat's forest department has radio-collared some lionesses which live outside Gir sanctuary to track their movements and behaviour.

This is the first time that the apex wildlife body will use the global positioning system to tag and track 10 lionesses in various pockets outside the sanctuary. Sources said, "This mode will enable us to keep track of each and every movement of the lions. Even by logging in once a week, we can get data regarding the big cats' movements and behaviour."

Yadvendradev Jhala, scientist and researcher of the WII, said the study is also aimed at knowing the behavior of Asiatic lions near villages. "The study will help us ascertain how much area a breeding female requires for prey-hunting and rearing her cubs. The radio collars will enable wildlife managers to keep track of the entire lion population. Which will mean better protection for them," Jhala said.

Jhala added, "The study will reveal the movement pattern of lions and whether they return to the sanctuary frequently. Recently we collared four lionesses in different prides. We now plan to collar another six lionesses. We will keep watch over these 10 lionesses with their cubs. This will enable us to know movements of the entire group."

The study is being undertaken by Jhala along with Stotra Chakrabarthy, research biologist of WII with the help of Anshuman Sharma, DFO Dhari and a team of four expert trackers and research assistants of WII.

As per the May 2010 census, there are 130 lions outside the sanctuary. But this number has increased since May 2010.

To ensure lions' safety, Railways comes up with new plan

08-06-2014
To ensure lions' safety, Railways comes up with new plan
IndiaToday
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/saving-lions-western-railway-takes-steps-to-save-lions/1/365877.html

Reduction of train speed in areas prone to lion movement are among the necessary precautions that the Western Railway authorities have assured the forest department following the death of felines on tracks leading to the Pipavav port in Gujarat.

Last week, the Western Railway authorities had held a hurriedly-called meeting after six lions were either mowed down or fatally hit by trains in last three months in Amreli district, just about 35 km from the Gir forest. Chief Conservator of Forest R. L. Meena said that besides reduction of speed, the Railway authorities have accepted the suggestion of not running goods trains in morning and evening hours.

The Railway officials accepted another important suggestion that train drivers would be given training to sensitise them on importance of conservation of lions as well as how they could keep vigil on lion movement. The forest department will bear expenditure of 30 km-long barbed wire fencing on railway tracks where frequent lion movements have been observed. "The railway has also shown preparedness to construct under passage to allow free movement of wild animals including lions," Meena added.

"All these indeed are measures that should be appreciated but this is largely patchwork, given the complex nature of the issue that needs a larger and holistic policy view," retired forest official A.K. Sharma said. Sharma says the lion population has increased but so has its territory expanded to 20,000 square km during last five years from 10,000 square km. The lions are straying out because the Gir Protected Area is too small to accommodate all of them. Five state highways and a railway line traverse through the forest, besides nearly three lakh tourists visiting every year. Widespread mining takes place not far from the sanctuary, and there is a cement factory just about 15 km away from the forest area.

"All these activities adversely affect forest resources and use water, which is key to survival for the lions. The carnivore has to stray out to look for water and prey since waterholes within the sanctuary are drying up," a senior forest official said. According to a forest department survey, the predator was found in as much as one-third of the Saurashtra region. Lions were spotted in 1,500 villages in the region's Junagadh, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts.

Madhya Pradesh's 'SOS' to get Modi's pride lions

07-06-2014
Madhya Pradesh's 'SOS' to get Modi's pride lions
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Madhya-Pradeshs-SOS-to-get-Modis-pride-lions/articleshow/36195827.cms

In its first communique after Narendra Modi's swearing in as Prime Minister, Madhya Pradesh government sent a proposal to ministry of environment and forests seeking a budget of Rs 79 crore to shift Asiatic lions from Gujarat to Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary in state's Shivpuri district.

Earlier, Modi-ruled Gujarat had lost the case of shifting lions to Shivraj Singh Chouhan's government after 8 years of legal battle. The budget includes Rs 20 crore for infrastructural development like construction of hospital and procurement of new vehicles and Rs 59 crore for relocation and rehabilitation of two more villages within Kuno wildlife sanctuary.

"The expert committee on relocation of lions had advised us to expand the sanctuary area before shifting of the first pride of lions. Two more villages will have to be relocated," state's chief wildlife warden and principal chief conservator forest (PCCF) Narendra Kumar told TOI.

State has already spent Rs 1,453 lakh for relocation of 1,543 families from 24 revenue villages from the sanctuary while preparing an alternate habitat for Asiatic lions.

Kuno Palpur with an area of 345 sq km was found as an alternate home for Asiatic lions during a feasibility study conducted by Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in 1993. Two other potential sites were Darrah-Jawahar Sagar and Sitamata sanctuary in Rajasthan.

To improve the habitat before re-introduction of lions, various management interventions have been taken up in the sanctuary that included relocation of villages from the sanctuary, strengthening protection and habitat improvement. Based on proposal received from Madhya Pradesh, the Union government under a Centrally sponsored scheme - Development of National Parks and Sanctuaries - had sanctioned and released Rs 1545 lakh in 2007-08 to pave way for translocation of lions despite protests from Modi, who stubbornly refused to let the lions go. Modi had been arguing for years that Gir lions are the "pride of Gujarat" and in court too, the lions were described as "family members who could not be parted with". Gujarat government also argued in court that Madhya Pradesh had failed to protect its tigers in Panna and the Gir lions may meet the same fate. On April 15, 2013, after eight years of litigation, Supreme Court cleared the translocation of lions amid protests from locals. The apex court ruled lions should have a second home if an epidemic or fires wipe out the endangered species at one location.

After Modi moved from Gandhi Nagar to Delhi, state's hopes of getting the magnificent species on its land have faded.

Gujarat government has already moved a curative petition in Supreme Court as its last legal resort to retain its Asiatic lions. Two Gujarat-based NGOs have also filed separate petitions challenging translocation of lions jto Kuno.

Modi’s dilemma: Whether to shift Gir lions to MP or not

09-06-2014
Modi's dilemma: Whether to shift Gir lions to MP or not
Hindustan Times
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/modi-s-dilemma-whether-to-shift-gir-lions-to-mp-or-not/article1-1227394.aspx

As the Gujarat chief minister in 2009, Narendra Modi had entered into a public spat with then environment minister Jairam Ramesh. The issue: Relocation of lions from Gir wildlife sanctuary state to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh.

Modi had then opposed the relocation, saying he would not part with "Gujarat's pride". Now, as Prime Minister, Modi would be asked to reconsider his view in 'larger national interest'.

Wildlife activists and the environment ministry have argued for the relocation of the Asiatic lions to MP since only a single habitat for these big cats is considered dangerous, especially because of inbreeding threat and Gir's location in a seismic zone.

"The Prime Minister will take a call on the issue," a senior environment ministry official said. Modi will have to decide on the matter before the next meeting of the National Board for Wildlife.

In August 2013, the Supreme Court had sided with the experts who said it was better for the lions' future if some of them could be relocated. On the court's directions, the environment ministry constituted a committee, which directed the MP government to expand the Kuno Palpur wildlife area for relocation of the lions.

The MP government this week submitted a proposal of Rs. 79 crore for the rehabilitation of two more villages. This was the first communication from the state forest department to the ministry after the Modi-led government took charge at the Centre.

Railway agrees to limit train speed near Asiatic Lions' abode

04-06-2014
Railway agrees to limit train speed near Asiatic Lions' abode
The Economics Times
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-06-04/news/50329805_1_gir-forest-asiatic-lions-lion-population

 Western Railway has agreed to reduce speed of trains passing through tracks near Gir forest in Gujarat's Amreli district to prevent accident of Asiatic lions moving in the area, a senior forest official said today.

"The Western Railway has agreed to reduce the speed limit of goods trains on the route passing through areas of movement of Asiatic lions so that a driver can prevent an accident if lions or cubs cross the rail tracks," Gujarat's Chief Conservator of Forests R L Meena told PTI today, after a meeting with Western Railway officials in Mumbai yesterday.

The meeting was held in the wake of the death of six Asiatic lions of Gir forest this year in separate accidents after being run over by trains.

The railway authorities have also agreed to consider the demand of not running goods trains in morning and evening hours when there is more movement of lions on rail track in Amreli district, Meena said.

They agreed to reschedule timings of running of goods trains near these rail tracks, he said.

The railway authorities have also agreed to impart training to more train drivers to sensitise them about lions, on why big cats need to be protected and what can the drivers do to ensure the safety of animals if found on tracks. The training will be imparted by forest officials, he said.

The forest department will bear the expenditure of barbed wire fencing in 30 km area on railway track in Amreli frequented by lions, while the railway will construct an under passage (running under the rail track) for enabling movement of lions and other wild animals, the official said.

The lion population has steadily increased in Gir forest, more than doubling from a low of 180 in 1974 to 411 big cats, comprising 97 adult males, 162 adult females, 75 sub-adults and 77 cubs, as of April 2010, sources said.

The Gir national park and wildlife sanctuary in Western Gujarat is the only habitat for Asiatic lions.

About 100-150 lions have permanently settled in the coastal areas around Rajula and Jafrabad towns of Amreli.

Half of world's forest species at risk: UN

03-06-2014
Half of world's forest species at risk: UN
The Week
http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/mmonline.dll/portal/ep/theWeekContent.do?programId=1073754900&contentId=16955562

Half of the world's forest species are at risk from climate change and farming, the United Nations (UN) warned today, as it called for "urgent action" to manage them better.

In its first global study of forest genetic resources, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) said woodland was shrinking fastest in Brazil, Indonesia and Nigeria.

"Forests provide food, goods and services, which are essential to the survival and well-being of all humanity," the FAO's forestry director Eduardo Rojas-Briales said in a statement.

"These benefits all rely on safeguarding the rich store of the world's forest genetic diversity, which is increasingly at risk," the statement added.

The report found that around half of the 8,000 reported species and subspecies were perceived as being endangered.

The ten countries that lost the most forest area between 1990 and 2010 were Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Bolivia, Venezuela and Australia, it said.

FAO said biodiversity boosted both the productivity and nutritional value of forest products like leafy vegetables, honey, fruits, seeds, nuts, roots, tubers and mushrooms.

Genetic diversity also protects forests from pests and ensures they can "adapt to changing environmental conditions, including those stemming from climate change", the FAO said.

The FAO called for more efforts to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to combat invasive species, as well as the development of national seed programmes to ensure the availability of genetically-appropriate tree seeds.

Guj forest deptt, WR to discuss lion accidents on rail tracks

02-06-2014
Guj forest deptt, WR to discuss lion accidents on rail tracks
Business Standard
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/guj-forest-deptt-wr-to-discuss-lion-accidents-on-rail-tracks-114060200678_1.html

In view of the recent death of six Asiatic lions of Gujarat's Gir forest after being run over by trains, officials of state forest department and Western Railway will meet in Mumbai tomorrow to discuss the issue.

"The high-level meeting with General Manager of Western Railway in Mumbai follows after a series of local-level meetings on conservation of lions held in past couple of months failed to resolve issues raised by the forest department of Gujarat government," state Chief Conservator of forests R L Meena told PTI today.

The local level meetings were held in Bhavnagar soon after some Asiatic lions were run over by goods trains near Amreli in Gujarat since January this year, he said.

According to sources, the forest department wants railway authorities not to run goods trains on rail track in Amreli district in morning and evening as there is more movement of lions there during these periods.

The officials have also suggested railways to reduce the speed limit of goods trains on this route to 30-40km/hr, which at present is about 100 km/hr, sources said.

With lesser speed, a goods train driver can stop or reduce the speed on seeing lions or cubs crossing the railway tracks, it has been further suggested.

The forest department recently imparted training to 82 train drivers to sensitise them about lions, on why the big cats need to be protected and what can the drivers do to ensure the safety of animals if found on tracks, Meena said.

Apart from reducing the train speed, the forest department has also suggested barbed wire fencing in 30 kms area on the railway track which is frequented by lions and construction of under passage (a passage running under the railway tack) for enabling movement of lions and other wild animals, he said.

About 100-150 lions have permanently settled in the coastal areas around Rajula and Jafrabad towns of Amreli.

Gir wildlife sanctuary houses about 411 Asiatic lions and is the sole home for these big cats.