Pride in danger: World's last refuge for the Asiatic lion is under threat. Gujarat must act now

07-02-2015
Pride in danger: World's last refuge for the Asiatic lion is under threat. Gujarat must act now 
Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2944096/Pride-danger-World-s-refuge-Asiatic-lion-threat-Gujarat-act-now.html#ixzz3RWjvaknA

Did the Gujarat government put the lives of its lions at stake by relocating the Maldharis, the traditional cattle-herders who lived in proximity to the Gir forest, in the name of protecting the region for the illustrious big cats? 

At least the state forest department seems to believe so. 

According to a senior forest officer who did not want to be named, the lions of Gir will not survive without the Maldharis.

"Both are essential and intrinsic to the forest ecosystem," says the officer. 

A pride of lions relaxing at Sasan-Gir, Gujarat. The state forest department seems to believe relocating the Maldharis has put the lives of the lions at stake

SURVIVAL AT STAKE 

Being cattle-herders, the animals which the Maldharis reared also acted as a source of food for the lions. 

And since the community received adequate compensation from the state government for the lost livestock, the arrangement worked quite well for both the herder and the predator. 

This changed once the government started moving out the families from the sanctuary in the name of conservation. 

As many as 580 out of the total 845 families co-existing with the carnivores were shifted in the first round itself

The big cats have strayed into the neighbouring villages in the Saurashtra region desperately looking for prey (pictured: a body of a lion knocked down by a speeding train)

The process continued over the years and now there are just 300 families left. 

This has forced the big cats to stray into the neighbouring villages in the Saurashtra region desperately looking for prey. 

However, the dwindling number of Maldharis is not the only cause of concern for the lions. 

Earlier this week the state forest department revealed that as many as 66 hotels and guesthouses have come up either within the buffer zone of the sanctuary or just bordering it, throwing all norms to the winds and thus creating hurdles in the sensitive lion corridor. 

Shockingly, the government has started a "paying guest" facility to local farmers who could offer six rooms to tourists. 

The sanctuary and its buffer zone are now peppered with hoardings and signboards of hotels and guesthouses soliciting tourists 

SIEGE WITHIN

The so-called hospitality units have come up in the sanctuary's buffer zone in Junagadh, Amreli and Gir-Somnath districts. 

The department which revealed the illegal activities, however, did not specify, in its affidavit before the high court, what actions it would take against such illegal dwellings. 

The sanctuary and its buffer zone are now peppered with hoardings and signboards of hotels and guesthouses soliciting tourists. 

It is estimated that within a six-km radius of Sasan-Gir forest there are nearly 100 hotels and guesthouses.

Tourists passing time at one of the several illegal resorts that have mushroomed near the Gir forest in the last few years

According to sources in the state forest department, a tourist resort run by a renowned hotel group in the area would now need to obtain a clearance from the Union Environment Ministry since its lease has expired. 

The trauma of the lions, however, does not end here. 

As many as 14 lions were killed in accidents alone last year due to transportation and mining-related activities taking place within the forest. 

Apart from a railway line, as many as five state highways traverse through the forest, carrying a growing number of tourists whose number last year was 4.25 lakh. 

Besides all this, there are three big temples with 23 shrines, which are also a big draw for the tourists and pilgrims. 

Meanwhile, the lion population in the state has been rising steadily since 1968 when the numbers where less than 200 to the current 441, highlighting an urgent need for relocation.

 

Gujarat High Court acts to protect home of India's Asiatic lions

04-01-2015
Gujarat High Court acts to protect home of India's Asiatic lions
Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2938575/Gujarat-High-Court-acts-protect-home-India-s-Asiatic-lions.html#ixzz3RWitMtHp

Environmentalists and wildlife activists have been alleging for years that illegal commercial properties mushrooming around the Gir sanctuary are posing a threat to the only home of Asiatic lions in India, but the state government ignored them - till an anonymous letter informed the Gujarat High Court.

Taking a proactive approach, the HC on Monday converted the letter into a suo motu petition and ordered the State Environment and Forests Department to submit a detailed affidavit on the status. 

The affidavit, the content of which was available on Tuesday, has a list of 66 commercial and residential establishments around the buffer zone of the lion sanctuary. 

The state affidavit says: "It has come to the notice of the forest department that certain hospitality units have been set up under the garb of commercial and residential establishment adjoining (the) Gir sanctuary and the department is looking into the issue in order to protect the interest of lions." 

The government submission before the high court said 66 properties in the sanctuary's buffer zone in Junagadh, Amreli and Gir-Somnath districts were illegal and operated in complete violation of the existing norms. 

The forest department also admitted that a tourist resort being run by a renowned hotel group in the area would now need to obtain a clearance from the Ministry of Environment, since its lease had already expired. 

No forest official was willing to comment on the entire issue, pointing out that the matter was now sub-judice and all explanations would be given to the court. 

The HC has also taken serious cognisance of the contention in the anonymous letter, which pointed out the Gujarat Government's ambitious plan to develop a new eco-tourism zone in the coastal region in Amreli district on the outskirts of the Gir sanctuary. 

To the explanation sought by the high court about this eco-tourism plan, the State Environment and Forests Department has claimed that the move would not choke the lion corridor. 

It has argued that the lion movement was usually noticed between sunset and sunrise while tourists visit the area during the day time. 

The government has buttressed its contention by pointing out that the number of tourists in the sanctuary had risen from 1.30 lakh in 2006 to over 4.58 lakh in 2013-14, but this had not disturbed the lion corridor.

 An anonymous letter to the High Court alleged that commercial establishments are posing a threat to lions in Gir (file picture).

Gujrat government assures action against illegal hospitality industry around Gir

04-02-2015
Gujrat government assures action against illegal hospitality industry around Gir
The Times Of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/developmental-issues/Gujrat-government-assures-action-against-illegal-hospitality-industry-around-Gir/articleshow/46118933.cms#

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat government has assured Gujarat high court that it is pondering action against the hospitality units operating illegally around Gir sancturary, which is the last abode of the Asiatic lions. 

In response to a query by the HC, the forest department has placed a list of 66 private establishments around Gir sanctuary and said that owners illegally use them as hospitality units in form of restaurants, hotels and resorts. "It has come to the notice of the forest department that certain hospitality units have started under the garb of commercial and residential establishment adjoining Gir sanctuary and the department is looking into the issue in order to protect the interest of lions," the affidavit reads. 

It further stated that the authorities are working in the direction to end the illegalities in this buffer zone, where it has identified 66 properties where hospitality units are operated in violation of norms in Junagadh, Amreli and Gir-Somnath districts. The government has also pointed out that the resort operated by a renowned hotel group will soon have to obtain Centre's permission and its lease has expired. 

The government has cited its resolutions which were passed on June 25, 2009 and February 8, 2010. By these resolutions it prohibited construction and operation of hospitality units in the regulated zone and maintained that those hospitality units that operate with legal permit are operated under strict terms and conditions. 

Earlier also, the high court had asked the government to curb illegal construction in the buffer zone of the protected area. This was in connection with a petition filed by one Anil Chudasama, who claimed that the authorities were not permitting him to carry out agriculture activity in his land, which was allegedly purchased by previous owners from the pastoralists that were rehabilitated as part of evacuation of the Gir sanctuary. However, these pastoralists sold the allocated plots and went back to the forest.

 

New tourism zone will not choke lion corridor: government to HC

04-02-2015
New tourism zone will not choke lion corridor: government to HC
The Times Of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/New-tourism-zone-will-not-choke-lion-corridor-government-to-HC/articleshow/46118951.cms#

AHMEDABAD: The state government has informed Gujarat high court that the proposed new eco-tourism zone on the coastal region in Amreli district, in the outskirt of Gir sanctuary in the last abode of Asiatic lions, will not affect the wild cat.

The government has said that since lions' movement take place during night time and tourism activity will be restricted during the day time, there is no likelihood that the lion corridor would be choked.

By taking suo motu cognizance of an anonymous letter taking exception to development and construction in and around the forest area, the HC had sought reply from the authorities regarding its proposed tourism zone outside the Gir National Park. The state forest and environment department has stated that since tourism activity will take place in restricted manner during day time, and "movement of animals especially lions take place generally from sunset to sunrise".

The government has cited example of Sasan Gir sanctuary, where tourists flow has increased from 1,30,285 in 2006 to 4,58,585 in 2013-14. The tourists rush has not choked the lion corridor in Sasan Gir, and development of this new eco-tourism zone will only reduce the burden from this area.

The government has also stated that the development of new eco-tourism zone in Jasadhar, Chikalkuda and Khothariya villages will provide employment opportunities to forest dwellers. It will also create awareness among general and religious tourists in this region about environment. With this, it has provided the status of interpretation centre for lions etc in this area. It also maintained that no tourism activity has been started yet in this zone.

The government has also stated that the eco-tourism plan is for the year 2012-2022 and it has been approved by the chief wildlife warden as per the provisions of law. The affidavit further said that tourism activity is permissible as per the law in this extended area of forest because this is not a prohibited zone. Moreover, there was no requirement to conduct an impact assessment on environment and reasserted.

Cheetah reintroduction hits roadblock for want of funds

30-01-2015
Cheetah reintroduction hits roadblock for want of funds

First Post
http://www.firstpost.com/india/cheetah-reintroduction-hits-roadblock-want-funds-2071531.html#

Bhopal: An ambitious project to reintroduce cheetah in India in the forests of Madhya Pradesh has hit a roadblock for want of funds.

The country's last spotted feline died in Chhattisgarh in 1947. Later, the cheetah - the fastest land animal - was declared extinct in 1952.

"Madhya Pradesh forest department sought Rs 264 crore from the concerned departments in Delhi to import cheetah, that had become extinct in India, from Namibia to the state's Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in December 2013, but we have not received any response yet," Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Narendra Kumar told PTI on Friday.

"In a prelude to cheetah reintroduction, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, tailored an action plan for Nauradehi in Sagar district and sent its initial blueprint of Rs 16.6 crore to us for execution in November 2013," he said.

According to WII, the MP forest department needs to reserve 700 sq km area for the imported cheetahs to dwell in the sanctuary, spread over 1,197 sq km, forest officials said.

Besides, 20 villages located in the 700 sq km area for cheetah project in Nauradehi need to be evacuated. A whopping Rs 264 crore would be needed to compensate around 2,640 families living in these villages, they said.

The Centre paid some money initially, but later on the state government chipped in and incurred the expenses for shifting villagers and preparing a habitat for Gir lions, that are yet to be introduced in Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary, they said.

Kumar had sought finances from Ministry of Environment and Forests and NationalTiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to kick-off the project.

Initially, the habitat for the fastest spotted animal was to be developed by shifting 20 villages from the sanctuary, building prey base, seven enclosures and fencing of 150 sq km area, Kumar said.

But no headway could be made due to non-availability of funds, he added.

The plan to reintroduce cheetah in India was conceived during the UPA-II government in 2010, under which Kuno-Palpur sanctuary, spread over an area of 344 sq km, was chosen for it, forest officials said.

Some progress was made in this direction. But on April 15, 2013, the Supreme Court, while hearing a petition, ordered that cheetah should not be trans-located in Kuno-Palpur where lions from Gujarat's Gir sanctuary are proposed to be shifted.

Following this, a meeting of Cheetah Task Force took place on May 23, 2013, which suggested that Nauradehi should be made the home of the spotted feline in India. Experts at the meeting suggested a scientific study of Nauradehi for trans-location of cheetah.

Nauradehi has been found most suitable for the cheetah given that its forests are not dense to restrict the fast movement of the spotted animal.

According to the action plan, around 20 cheetah were to be trans-located to Nauradehi from Namibia.

The Namibia Cheetah Conservation Fund (NCCF) had also given its nod to donate the fastest mammal to India after inspecting Nauradehi three years back.

However, MP was not ready to finance the project contending that it was the Centre's project. The MP government's past experience with the Central project's implementation in case of development habitat for Gujarat's Gir Lions in MP's Kuno-Palpur in Sheopur and Shivpuri districts of the state has not been satisfactory, officials said.

PTI

Cheetah's have been declared extinct in India since 1952. Reuters

UAE- Gujarat government to conduct lion census in May

22/01/2015
UAE- Gujarat government to conduct lion census in May 
Khaleej Times
http://www.menafn.com/1094083108/UAE--Gujarat-government-to-conduct-lion-census-in-May

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) As many as 2000 trained employees of the forest department of the Gujarat government will carry out the lion census from May 2 for four days.

Ahmedabad: Five years have passed by and it's time again for the lion census in Gujarat the only home of the Asiatic jungle king.

As many as 2000 trained employees of the forest department of the Gujarat government will carry out the lion census from May 2 for four days.

The last census conducted in April 2010 had revealed that the population of the big cats had increased from 359 in 2005 to 411.

A forest department official said the census using GPS system and direct sighting method would cover a bigger — 25000-square-kilometres — area in four districts of Bhavnagar Jamnagar Porbandar and Rajkot.

Though the main Gir wildlife sanctuary is spread over 1412 square kilometres the search area has increased from 10000 sq km in 2010 to 25000 sq km as the majestic animals have been found straying into more areas often getting killed by falling in open wells or speeding trains or live electric fences.

Some 250 lions have died since 2010.

Fearing extinction of the Asiatic lions the Supreme Court had in April 2013 ruled that some lions from the Gir forest be shifted to Kuno wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

 

Asiatic lions' census in May

20-01-2015
Asiatic lions' census in May
Zee News
http://zeenews.india.com/news/sci-tech/asiatic-lions-census-in-may_1533424.html

Vadodara: Asiatic lion census held once every five years by the Gujarat government will be conducted at Gir sanctuary from May 2 to 5, a senior official said on Tuesday.

"The lion census is conducted every five years. The last census was conducted at Gir in 2010 when nearly 411 lions were counted. The census had covered Girnar hills, coastal areas, Bhavnagar and other parts outside the 1,412 sq km sanctuary," Deputy Conservator of Forest Sandeep Kumar told PTI over phone today.

"The census at Gir will be done from May 2 to 5 this year in a more scientific manner," he said.

In the past, the counting was based on pug marks. Now, the forest department will be using GPS system and counting will take place on the direct sighting of group of lions.

Several persons will be deployed for the exercise after providing them proper training in this regard, he said.

The land area in which the lions are found has more than doubled in the last several years, according to forest department officials.

During the 2010 census, the felines were spread over 10,000 sq km area but an analysis done a year back revealed that the big cats now have sway over 22,000 sq kms, which covers most of the districts located in Saurashtra region including Gir, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Saurashtra, Veraval and Kutch.

Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the sole home of the Asiatic lions and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia.

In wake of fear for the extinction of Asiatic lions from Gir national park, the Supreme Court had in April 2013 ruled that some lions in the Gir forest be shifted to Kuno wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. 

 

 

Cops fail to catch bird poachers in Junagadh district

12-01-2015
Cops fail to catch bird poachers in Junagadh district
The Times Of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Cops-fail-to-catch-bird-poachers-in-Junagadh-district/articleshow/45851460.cms
RAJKOT: Yet another instance of poaching of Spoon Bills and Demoiselle Cranes has come tolight from Mangrol in Junagadh district. Police seized a four-wheeler containing the carcasses of 24 Demoiselle Cranes and two Spoon Bills on Sunday morning but the poachers managed to slip away.

Source said that on Sunday morning, Mangrol police received a tip-off that some persons were poaching migratory birds in Khar area on the sea shore. Acting on the tip-off, the cops rushed to the spot. However, on seeing police approaching them, the poachers packed up their belongings including dead birds and nets and tried to flee in a Tata Sumo vehicle.

The cops chased the car to nab the accused. Fearing arrest, the poachers left the vehicle and ran into the shrubs along the coast.

Police seized the car and carcasses along with instruments used for poaching the birds. They also informed the local forest department officials and asked them to join the investigation in the matter.

The cops are trying to identify the vehicle owner on the basis of its registration number. Officials said that more details about poaching in the region will emerge once the poachers are nabbed.

Bird watchers say that Demoiselle Cranes migrate to Saurashtra coast in large numbers in winters. They are found in abundance on the entire coastal stretch from Bhavnagar to Dwarka.

"The Demoiselle Crane is locally known as the Koonj. Bird poachers become active during the winter season to kill cranes that are easily available. There is urgent need to increase patrolling on wetlands and areas where birds are found in abundance," said Vijay, a wildlife activist from Kutiyana in Porbandar district. Koonj figures prominently in Gujarati literature and poetry.