Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Gujarat HC relief to resort near Gir

24-04-2015
Gujarat HC relief to resort near Gir
The Times Of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gujarat-HC-relief-to-resort-near-Gir/articleshow/47034400.cms
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court on Thursday granted relief to Savaj Resort, a luxury hotel near Gir sanctuary, after the hospitality unit came complaining that the local authorities sealed all its rooms though it has got an NOC to run the hotel. 

The resort has got NOC for 20 rooms, but it constructed 14 extra rooms. The authorities sealed all rooms and forced the
 hotel to close down on the ground that it had violated the terms and conditions of the NOC. 

The HC reminded the state government of its order that only rooms that do not have NOC should be sealed. The petitioner resort also highlighted that the sealing drive was carried out on instructions issued by the additional advocate general for violation of conditions of NOC. The court was irked with this and rebuked the official for interpreting the court order in a different manner and for non-compliance of the court order in proper manner.
 

Before this, the HC refused to grant any relief to the hospitality unit of Taj Group of Hotel, which was sought to be closed down by the officials for want of NOC. 

Meanwhile, the state government informed the HC that 35 extra rooms constructed by
 Club Mahindra & Resort have been sealed. Similarly, 39 rooms in Gir Forest Resort, 25 rooms in Gir Jungle Lodge, 31 rooms and 2 spas in Gateway Gir Forest and 13 rooms in Hotel Greenland have been sealed because they were constructed without obtaining NOC. 

The HC has kept further hearing on May 4 on this proceeding initiated suo motu on a complaint of illegal construction in the buffer
 zone of Gir sanctuary. 

The court has asked the state government to explain the issue of permission granted by gram panchayats concerned to these
 luxury hotels, which have constructed multi-storied buildings though there is prohibition to put up such a structure in the buffer zone. 

Besides, the court has also sought clarification on contradictory resolutions passed by the forest department conditionally permitting hospitality units to run in buffer zone of 2 km, which is against the provisions of a 2010 resolution by the home department completely prohibiting such activity in this area.
 


Does Narendra Modi like lions more than tigers?

24-04-2015
Does Narendra Modi like lions more than tigers?
live mint
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/ZpXwvuIML2vMXCeNkGXfmO/Does-Modi-like-lions-more-than-tigers.html
Reverting to the lion as the national animal is more of political symbolism and has little to do with wildlife conservation
New Delhi: In his Independence Day speech last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged global manufacturers to "Come, Make in India". And the following month, he formally launched the "Make in India" initiative with awalking lion as its logo.

After affixing the lion logo to its flagship programme, the Modi government suggested a far more radical change. At a March meeting of the National Board for Wildlife, it suggested that the Asiatic lion replace the tiger as India's national animal.

Interestingly, before 1972, the lion was the national animal of India. The Indira Gandhi-led Congress government replaced it with the tiger when it launched Project Tiger—the country's first wildlife conservation programme.

Both the lion and tiger are on the endangered list of wild animals and are protected by the laws of the land. There are around 400 lions and 2,000 tigers in the Indian wilderness today.

The proposal to revert to the lion as the national animal has created tumult among tiger conservationists. According to them, the lion doesn't have a national presence like the tiger, whose population is spread over 18 states.

India has 48 tiger reserves. The Indian lion (or the Asiatic lion) is only found in the Gir National Park and its surroundings in Gujarat which, incidentally, happens to be the Prime Minister's home state.

Wildlife conservation in India is species-centric and not landscape-centric. It is largely concentrated on iconic species such as the tiger, lion, elephantand rhinoceros.

Among these four species, the tiger is the superstar when it comes to revenue—for conservation and tourism. The government's proposal to reinstate the lion as the national animal has, not surprisingly, left the tiger conservation fraternity puzzled and worried.

A couple of centuries ago, the lion had an extended range over northern India. In eastern India, it was recorded in Bihar; in the south, by the Narmada river. Widespread hunting at that time was one of the prime reasons for the depletion of the lion population.

But for the timely intervention of the sixth Nawab of Junagadh, Mahabat Khanji II (1851-1882), who banned hunting, the lion would have been wiped out from the Indian subcontinent.

Sasan Gir in Gujarat, in the erstwhile state of Junagadh, remains the last abode of the lion and the Gujarati community takes immense pride that the last of Asia's lions are on its turf.

The increasing reference to the species as the "Lion of Gir" has branded the Asiatic lion as the "Gir Lion".

Over the past two decades, more than Rs.24 crore has been spent on the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, billed as the second home for the endangered beasts. But the sanctuary has no lions, because Gujarat does not want to give it any.

The risk here is of keeping all eggs in the same basket. According to conservationists, an epidemic in Gir might exterminate the species. The need for a second gene pool is urgently required to protect the species.

The lion is historically better represented than the tiger—in medieval literature, in coinage, art, artifacts and architecture. The use of the lion in symbols and signage gained importance in India from the second half of the first millennium, with the rise of the great Hindu kingdoms—the Nandas, Mauryas and Guptas. Emperor Ashoka's Lion Pillar gave India its national emblem. In religion, the lion is mentioned in the Rig Veda, the first of the four sacred texts in Hinduism; it is the divine mount of goddess Durga and worshipped as Narasimha, an avatar of Hindu god Vishnu, visualized as half-man and half-lion.

Mahavir and Buddha also used the lion as their symbol. Gautam Buddha's first sermon was called simhanada, the lion's roar, and he himself came to be known as Sakyasimha, the lion of the Sakyas. The lion was the symbol of royalty in Hindu mythology where the king and his throne—the singhasan(the lion's seat)—were inseparable.

In northern India, Singh, meaning lion, has been used as a middle name or surname since the seventh century by Hindus and later by Sikhs. Indeed, it is not surprising to come across Sikhs with both big cats in their name—Sher Singh. It was not only the Hindu kingdoms, the symbol of lion found prominence both in the Mughal and British empires.

Modi, under whom the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2014 became the first party in 30 years to win a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha, is surely entitled to his singhasan. But as he talks of heralding a new Industrial Revolution, can the lion become the symbol of the Indian economy? And where will the tiger go from here?

 Does Narendra Modi like lions more than tigers?

The Indian lion is only found in the Gir National Park and its surroundings in Gujarat which, incidentally, happens to be Prime Minister Modi's home state.

‘Kuno expansion must to house lions’

22-04-2015
'Kuno expansion must to house lions'
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Kuno-expansion-must-to-house-lions/articleshow/47007365.cms
AHMEDABAD: The Union government has admitted in the Lok Sabha that Madhya Pradesh will have to enlarge sanctuary size in order to translocate Asiatic lions to Kuno-Palpur from Gujarat's Sasan Gir. 

According to the original project prepared for the translocation, a sanctuary area of around 700 sq km was required. The Gujarat government made it clear in a meeting in February that Madhya Pradesh will have to first satisfy the requirement of creating the adequate sanctuary size before even talking about moving lions from Gir. Kuno-Palpur is currently spread over 349 sq km. 

The statement about the required enlargement was made by the environment and forests minister, Prakash Javdekar, in reply to a question from Madhya Pradesh MP Jyotiraditya Scindia. Javdekar stated that an expert committee had been formed to crystallize a plan for the translocation of lions in accordance with the guidelines issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. 

Gujarat officials pointed out that this was for the first time that the Union government had accepted that the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary needed to be enlarged. Officials said that Madhya Pradesh was dragging its feet on the expansion as it will have to relocate several big villages and even those villages which have been rehabilitated in the vicinity of the sanctuary. The officials said Madhya Pradesh has been claiming that the buffer area and the sanctuary space together accounted for 700 sq km, but were silent about the declaring the zone as a sanctuary. 

Officials said that declaring the area as a sanctuary would mean that a swath of around 2-10 sq km will have be reserved as an eco-sensitive zone, which will lead to stoppage of all activity including construction of residences. The officials said that once the sanctuary was declared, Madhya Pradesh would be required to take up all studies including the prey-base census which will have to be conducted for at least twelve months, covering all seasons and habitat.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Madhya Pradesh to start its first lion safari at Van Vihar in Bhopal

17-04-2015
Madhya Pradesh to start its first lion safari at Van Vihar in Bhopal
Hindustan Times
http://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/madhya-pradesh-to-start-its-first-lion-safari-at-van-vihar-in-bhopal/article1-1338228.aspx
With neighbouring Gujarat government seems to be dragging its feet on providing lions for translocation to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to start a lion safari on its own at Van Vihar National Park of Bhopal, which at present has eight lions.

The Central Zoo Authority has given its nod to the MP government's proposal, for which 20 hectares of land has been already identified. This will be the first lion safari in the state.

In 1993, the Wildlife Institute of India had conducted a study to identify the best area for translocation of lions and they found Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary most suitable.

In April 2013, the Supreme Court directed that lions be translocated to Kuno-Palpur from Gir sanctuary of Gujarat.

However, the Gujarat government filed a curative petition in the court against the translocation of lions to Kuno Palpur, which was turned down by the apex court in August last year.

More than half-a-year has passed since then, but the Gujarat government is yet to translocate the lions to Kuno-Palpur.

Now, the government has decided to develop a lion safari at Van Vihar National Park of Bhopal.

Confirming the developments, Van Vihar National Park director BPS Parihar told HT that they had sent a proposal to the Central Zoo Authority regarding starting a lion and tiger safari in Van Vihar.

"The Central Zoo Authority has given its approval. We have identified 20 hectares of land for lion safari and 20 hectares of land for tiger safari in Van Vihar, where visitors can see these big cats from jeeps soon," he said, adding there are seven tigers in Van Vihar.

Van Vihar National Park is spread over 445 hectares.

Parihar said unlike the other national parks like Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, where jeep safaris move on the park tracks with no boundary between the visitors and the tigers, here the enclosures would be fenced.

"We have decided to put two lions in 20-hectare fenced area, where people can see them roaming like they do in the national parks. In another, 20-hectare fenced area, one tiger will be kept. We can't keep more than one tiger, as they are solitary hunters and very aggressive about their territories, unlike lions, who prefer to hunt in groups," he said.

On whether the decision on lion safari was taken as Gujarat was yet to provide any lion, Parihar, however, denied that this decision had anything to do with the translocation of lions of Gujarat.

"People here also, like elsewhere, want to see a lion in a jeep safari. So, we are doing that as we have eight lions here, six of which are in enclosures," he said.


 

Presently, Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal has eight lions. (HT file)

Monday, April 20, 2015

Lion as national animal? Central panel discusses idea

18-04-2015
Lion as national animal? Central panel discusses idea
The Times Of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Lion-as-national-animal-Central-panel-discusses-idea/articleshow/46963040.cms
KOLKATA: The Narendra Modi government is considering a proposal to make lion India's national animal, pushing out thetiger that has had the coveted status since 1972. The idea has triggered a furore among wildlife activists who called it bizarre, saying it would dilute the campaign to save tigers and pave the way for clearance of industrial projects near tiger sanctuaries.

It was Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand Parimal Nathwani, an industrialist, who sent the proposal to the environment ministry. It was then passed on to the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL), which functions under the ministry. It is packed with members from Gujarat, say sources.

A standing committee of the board, chaired by environment minister Prakash Javadekar, discussed the issue in March. "The committee requested the ministry to consider wider consultations on the matter," said Raman Sukumar, a member of NBWL.

The fact that the proposal to make the lion India's national animal is now with the board indicates it has generated significant interest in the administration, say sources.

However, NBWL member H S Singh said several issues have to be taken into account before considering the proposal. "Tigers are found across 17 states in India, whereas lion is found in only one," said Singh.

MP Nathwani had made the same proposal in 2012, but the then forest minister, Jayanthi Natarajan, said in Rajya Sabha that it was not even under consideration. In December last year, he again put a question in Parliament (No 2861) whether there was a proposal to make lion the national animal.

Union environment Prakash Javadekar replied there was no such proposal. In spite of this, the issue was discussed at a committee meeting, chaired by Javadekar, on March 14, 2015, where it was listed as agenda item No. 4.

In a recent countrywide assessment, it was found that India is home to more than 2,200 tigers, whereas the Asiatic lion population, estimated at 411, is confined to Gujarat's Gir.

Tiger was adopted as the national animal at a meeting of the Indian Board for Wildlife (now NBWL) in 1972 in view of its "worldwide importance, existence in the entire country and the need for its protection".

"Tiger is our national glory. India is the only place where you can get to see a tiger in the wild. After Taj Mahal, tiger is the second biggest attraction among foreign tourists visiting the country every year. We must hold on to this glory," said conservationist Belinda Wright.

Conservationist Bittu Sahgal, editor of Sanctuary magazine, fumed at the idea. "In India, both tiger and lion are under unbridled attack. It's best we stay away from renaming charades and focus on enhancement of protection and habitat expansion for both tigers and lions," he said.

Prerna Bindra, a former member of NBWL, pointed out a basic flaw in the proposal — the Asiatic lion is severely limited in its range. "The national animal needs to have a wide range across India, be a part of our culture, be familiar and symbolic — which the tiger is. The idea of saving the tiger means saving the varied ecosystems it lives in, which sustain India," she said.

Bengal wildlife advisory board member Joydip Kundu agreed with them and pointed out that India's conservation history tells us why tiger was made the national animal. "If you really want to make lion the national animal, you should first restore at least 10-15 natural habitats which are suitable for lions. Then the lions should be relocated there from Gir. Otherwise, as things stand now, lions are staring at a genetic bottleneck, which is common in populations concentrated in small pockets," Kundu said.

Due to inbreeding, the single population of lions at Gir is susceptible to genetic disorders. Also, an epidemic or a natural disaster would seal their fate, confined as they are to just 258sq km. A relocation project was proposed in 2004, where some of the endangered big cats were to be shifted from Gir to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary to save them from extinction. But, the Gujarat government vehemently opposes it to this day.

Lions

Will Lion replace Tiger as India's national animal? Tiger was adopted as the national animal at a meeting of the Indian Board for Wildlife (now NBWL) in 1972.

Gir luxury hotel ordered to shut down in 2 days

14-04-2015
Gir luxury hotel ordered to shut down in 2 days
The Times Of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Gir-luxury-hotel-ordered-to-shut-down-in-2-days/articleshow/46914111.cms
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court on Monday refused to protect the Indian Hotels Company Ltd's luxury resort in the Gir National Park from the sealing intended by the local authorities over absence of NOC to run hotel in the area.

When the hotel management -the Taj group-moved the HC against the sealing notice, a bench of Justice 
Jayant Patel and Justice GB Shah said that people would "laugh at the judiciary that it cannot reach the mighty, if they interfere in this case". The judges said that there must not be any special treatment given to any hospitality unit as compared to small ones, which were sealed earlier. They have given two days' time to intimate guests to vacate the structure.

Local authorities slapped a notice to the hotel on Friday giving it a time till April 15 to vacate and close it down. This happened over the HC's directives to act against illegal encroachers. When the authorities sealed hotels and resorts run by the locals, one of such property owners complained that the officials did not act against luxurious hotels. Seven such hotels were named and the high court on April 1 asked the authorities to conduct a survey on legality of their operation and act if they do not furnish NOC.

In this case, the Centre gave land to the state government in 1971. This particular plot was leased out to Gujarat tourism and this hotel group got 20 year lease in 1994 and the hotel was constructed. The lease was renewed last year. However, the mandatory permission from the National Board of Wildlife was not obtained and hence the forest department did not issue NOC for operations. Though the lease was renewed, the tourism department requested the chief conservator of forest to run the hotel without NOC till the hotel management obtains permission from the Board.

The hotel management requested the HC to grant time so that it could seek permission and NOC from concerned authorities. But the HC was reluctant. The hotel management urged to grant some time because the entire hotel is full of guests and booked for next one and a half month. Its counsel said that many tourists including foreigners would not be able to see lions.

To this, the judges said, "It is unfortunate that lions cannot file petition against men. If their numbers are reduced, the lions would be happy."

Parimal Nathwani seeks railways' help to prevent accidents of Asiatic lions

12-04-2015
Parimal Nathwani seeks railways' help to prevent accidents of Asiatic lions
Economic Times
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-04-12/news/61066239_1_asiatic-lions-gir-forest-goods-train

VADODARA: Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani has requested the Railways to speed up work of barbed wire fencing near railway tracks in Gujarat's Amreli district to avoid accidents and enable free movement of Asiatic lions and other animals of the Gir forest.

Nathwani, in a letter written to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, has also requested for construction of an under passage for the movement of lions in Amreli.

The barbed wire fencing on a 30-km stretch near the railway track in Amreli is required to save the lives of Asiatic lions, he said in the letter.

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

Notably, three Asiatic lion cubs were crushed to death under a goods train near Pipavav station in Amreli last week.

The accident had occurred when a lioness and three cubs were crossing the railway track near Rampara village close to Pipavav as the train was going to Surendranagar, Nathwani mentioned in his letter.

He also cited some earlier mishaps in which two lionesses were run over by a goods train near Pipavav in January 2014, a lion was mowed down by a train near Savarkundla in February last year and a cub was crushed to death by a goods train near Bherai at Rajula in May.

Nathwani said that the Western Railway officials had earlier assured that the speed of trains near Gir forest in Amreli would be reduced but it has not happened leading to accidents involving the Asiatic lions.

Nathwani requested Prabhu to also consider the demand of not running goods trains during morning and evening hours when there is more movement of lions on rail track in Amreli.

He also demanded that training be imparted to more train drivers to sensitise them about lions, on why the big cats need to be protected and what can they (drivers) can do to ensure the safety of animals, if found on tracks.

The lion population has steadily increased in Gir forest, more than doubling from a low of 180 in 1974 to 411 big cats as of April 2010, sources said.

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

12-04-2015
Parimal Nathwani seeks railways' help to prevent accidents of Asiatic lions
Economic Times
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-04-12/news/61066239_1_asiatic-lions-gir-forest-goods-train

VADODARA: Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani has requested the Railways to speed up work of barbed wire fencing near railway tracks in Gujarat's Amreli district to avoid accidents and enable free movement of Asiatic lions and other animals of the Gir forest.

Nathwani, in a letter written to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, has also requested for construction of an under passage for the movement of lions in Amreli.

The barbed wire fencing on a 30-km stretch near the railway track in Amreli is required to save the lives of Asiatic lions, he said in the letter.

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

Notably, three Asiatic lion cubs were crushed to death under a goods train near Pipavav station in Amreli last week.

The accident had occurred when a lioness and three cubs were crossing the railway track near Rampara village close to Pipavav as the train was going to Surendranagar, Nathwani mentioned in his letter.

He also cited some earlier mishaps in which two lionesses were run over by a goods train near Pipavav in January 2014, a lion was mowed down by a train near Savarkundla in February last year and a cub was crushed to death by a goods train near Bherai at Rajula in May.

Nathwani said that the Western Railway officials had earlier assured that the speed of trains near Gir forest in Amreli would be reduced but it has not happened leading to accidents involving the Asiatic lions.

Nathwani requested Prabhu to also consider the demand of not running goods trains during morning and evening hours when there is more movement of lions on rail track in Amreli.

He also demanded that training be imparted to more train drivers to sensitise them about lions, on why the big cats need to be protected and what can they (drivers) can do to ensure the safety of animals, if found on tracks.

The lion population has steadily increased in Gir forest, more than doubling from a low of 180 in 1974 to 411 big cats as of April 2010, sources said.

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


Wednesday, April 15, 2015

3 Asiatic lion cubs run over by goods train in Gujarat

08/04/2015
3 Asiatic lion cubs run over by goods train in Gujarat

The Indian Express
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat/3-asiatic-lion-cubs-mauled-down-by-goods-train-in-amreli/
AFTER a lull of around a year, railway tracks in Amreli turned graveyard for endangered Asiatic lions yet again as three cubs were mauled by a goods train near Pipavav port late on Wednesday evening. The accident also comes a day after a lion was found dead in mysterious circumstances near Mahuva town in the neighboring Bhavnagar district on Tuesday.


While two cubs were cut into pieces, the third one was hit by the train and later died, forest officers said, adding their mother lioness escaped unhurt though. The incident took place near Rampara village, a few kilometres away from Pipavav port.


"The accident occurred at around 7:30 PM when the lioness came out of a thicket of gando baval (prosopis juliflora) with her three cubs. Coincidentally, a goods train on its way to Pipavav port also happened to pass through the same stretch. Since the track is lined by gando baval on either side, niether pilot of the train nor our 
railwaytrackers could spot the lion pride, resulting in death of the three cubs," assistantconservator of forest (ACF) of Amreli, CB Dhandhiya told The Indian Express.


The ACF further said that the cubs were around four months old and that their mother had escaped unhurt. The train had been stopped after the accident, Dhandhya added.


This has been the first train accident involving Asiatic lion casualty since September last year. This has been also first such accident in Amreli district since May last year. Four Asiatic lions were killed in three different accidents on this railway line in first five months of year 2014. This had prompted the forest department to hire eightrailway trackers on a contract basis while also engaging 45 others as daily wagers to secure the tracks.


The railway line connects the busy Pipavav port to the rest of India and crosses Rajula taluka, where, according to forest officers, around 60 Asiatic lions have settled. The track also passes through Liliya taluka of Amreli, another area where the big cats have settled for the last 10 years.

State government has set aside Rs 10 crore to fence stretch of the railway track in Rajula but it has not materialised as yet and the railway line continues to pose danger to the endangered carnivore which have settled in protected and revenue areas of Amreli.

According to the 2010 census, there were 411 Asiatic lions in Gir forest and protected areas in Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. This area is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lions in the world.

 

Asiatic lion found dead in Mahuva

07/04/2015
Asiatic lion found dead in Mahuva

The Indian Express
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat/asiatic-lion-found-dead-in-mahuva/

AN ASIATIC lion was found dead in mysterious circumstances on the side of Kankaria lake near Mahuva town of Bhavnagar district on Tuesday but forest officers said they did not suspect foul play prima facie.

The lion, about 2.5 year old, was found in a thicket of gando baval (prosopis juliflora) on the side of Kankaria lake on Bandar Road at around 7 am. Later, its carcass was taken to Animal Rescue Centre in Ranigala for post-mortem.

"The lion was found dead in thicket of gando baval near the lake. There were no marks of outer injury on its body but veterinarians who conducted its post-mortem has concluded that the big cat died due to respiratory failure. To decipher the exact cause of its death, we have sent its viscera samples to Forensic Science Laboratory in Junagadh," Ganga Saran Singh, deputy conservator of forest (DCF) of Bhavnagar told The Indian Express.

The DCF further said that circumstances primarily did not point to any foul play. "But we are investigating the case and nothing can be said conclusively at this stage," said Singh.

The officer added that the dead lion was part of a group of two lions. "The other lion was spotted some 50 metres away from the carcass," he said.

Incidentally, a lion was allegedly electrocuted in Vaghnagar village of Mahuva in October last year while a cub of the predator had been killed after falling in a well a week before that.

Ranigala forest in Mahuva is part of Greater Gir area where Asiatic lions, the endangered species of big cats, have settled. According to 2010 census, there 411 Asiatic lions in Gir forest and protected areas spread across, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The next lion census is likely to be conducted in May this year.

 

Proposed 'new tourism zone' under HC scanner

04/04/2015
Proposed 'new tourism zone' under HC scanner
The Times Of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Proposed-new-tourism-zone-under-HC-scanner/articleshow/46801183.cms
AHMEDABAD: The proposed expansion plans for Gir sanctuary in the form of a "New Tourism Zone" at Chikal Kuba in Dhari, to the south-east of Sasan Gir, is under the scrutiny of the high court following the complaint from the anonymous naturalist.
 

The complainant alleged authorities purposely refrained from initiating the process of declaring the area a critical wildlife habitat, thought it is mandatory according to a Supreme Court order. "If they do so, tourism has to be regulated/curtailed for the benefit of wildlife as at the premier tiger reserves," he claims. 

The HC has taken cognizance of the letter and started proceedings in public interest. The letter has urged for reconsideration of expansion plans with the argument that it will put the lion's survival in jeopardy. The writer expressed apprehension that such a tourism zone would "result in the gradual loss of vital wildlife habitats and the very essential natural corridors" for animals. 

The recent sealing drive of hospitality units around Gir sanctuary is based on this complaint that mushrooming hotels have hurt the movement of animals, especially lions and leopards. He has also cited that the number of tourists has increased manifold in last few years. 

The complainant argues that the authorities failed to manage one tourism zone in Gir, so they cannot be expected to protect wildlife in another zone, particularly when the policy is more geared towards tourism than protecting the flora and fauna. The complainant questioned whether lions are income-generating facilities. He has expressed apprehension that this model would be replicated in the new tourism zone. "This area falls under the vital corridors of Asiatic lions which use them for movements from Gir sanctuary to the coastal areas of Una and Rajula", the letter read. 

Sealing drive near Gir to hit tourists

04-04-2015
Sealing drive near Gir to hit tourists
The Economics Times
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/sealing-drive-near-gir-to-hit-tourists/articleshow/46801174.cms

AHMEDABAD: People making plans to go lion spotting in Gir sanctuary this summer vacation should prepare to face a severe shortage of rooms and inflated tariffs. The majority of hospitality units will be shut following the Gujarat high court crackdown on illegal hotels and farmhouses in and around the sanctuary. 

The HC ordered action against the illegal encroachments after it took suo motu cognizance of an anonymous letter complaining that forest management in Gir has become subordinate to the tourism industry. The government immediately identified 128 such 'encroachers', who run hospitality units in the buffer zone around sanctuary across three districts — Junagadh, Amreli and Gir-Somnath. Of them, the authorities first targeted farmhouses and 72 such places have been sealed. 

Out these 72, the owners of 50 farmhouses have moved the HC and complained that the sealing took place indiscriminately. "Officials left only a few rooms open in small farmhouses for use by families living on the farm. We also applied for permission to rent space to tourists under the state's homestay policy, but no response has come so far," said one farmhouse owner and a litigants in the high court, Devayat Vadher. 

According to Vadher, authorities sealed nearly 70% of rooms in small farmhouses. He said that most tourists are from the middle class and can not afford expensive hotels, and hence prefer to stay in small places. 

The problems won't affect economy class tourists, but more affluent visitors may be affected. The HC has ordered for the formation of a committee for each district to check on luxury hotels. There are 34 big hotels around the sanctuary with permission to operate 390 rooms all put together. The committee is tasked to seal the remaining rooms and disconnect power supply to them. 

The possible shortage of rooms for tourists may lead to locals coming up with alternative arrangements. "Local farmers may put up tents for tourists may lead to locals coming up with alternative arrangements. "Local farmers may put up tents for tourists as they did last Diwali," said a senior forest official. 




 

 

On an average lion leopard kill 12 cattles in a day

02/04/2015
On an average lion leopard kill 12 cattles in a day
The Times Of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/On-an-average-lion-leopard-kill-12-cattles-in-a-day/articleshow/46781127.cms
AHMEDABAD: On an average around 12 cattles including buffalos and cows have been killed daily by the Asiatic Lion and Leopard in Junagadh, Gir Somnath and Amreli district. In the last two years, the bigs cats have killed 8,161 cattles of which around 68 per cent of the kill was by the Asiatic Lions, who have ventured out of the Gir Forest and have made the nearby areas as their permanent homes. 

The state government in reply to the question of Visavadar MLA Harshad Ribadiya has in the two years from February 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 there were 2862 killings of cattle by Lion, while the same by leopard was 1694.
 

Similarly from February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015 there were 2688 killings of cattle by Lion, while the same by leopard was 917. The state government further said the attacks on cattle by Lions was more in Amreli and Gir Somnath area. According to the figures given in the assembly, of the 5550 killings by Lions in two years, 2318 around 41 per cent killing were in Amreli, while another 37 per cent were in reported from Gir Somnath. The remaining 22 per cent killing were in Junagadh.
 

The figures further state that the killing by leopard in Amreli district was very low as compared to Junagadh and Gir Somnath.
 


Forest officials refusing to be quoted said that the number of leopard in Amreli was very low which was also reflected in the killings. The officials further said that the high killings in Amreli was because the lions have moved in several villages in Amreli and Gir Somnath and have made these areas as their permanent homes.

Man detained with ‘lion nails’

26/05/2015
Man detained with 'lion nails'
The Times Of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Man-detained-with-lion-nails/articleshow/46697286.cms
RAJKOT: A man was detained by the forest officials of Gir West division of Junagadh Wildlife Circle, from Dhari bus depot, allegedly with two nails suspected to be of an Asiatic lion. The youth was identified as Kishor Dalit (22) from Rajpara village of Visavadar taluka of Junagadh district.
 

However, the forest department officials have ruled out poaching angle in this case. 

Forest department had received information during routine monitoring exercise that someone was trying to sell nails of lion. They posed as customers and nabbed Dalit from near Dhari bus depot on Tuesday night and brought him to Visavadar forest range for questioning.
 

"We recovered two nails suspected to be of a lion. The nails have been sent to a forensic laboratory in Junagadh to confirm whether the nails are of lion or fakes," R N Nala, deputy conservator of forests, Gir West division told TOI.
 

Dalit told forest officials that he was engaged in diamond polishing work in the past and later he used to work as a daily wager.
 

"We are questioning him as to from where he got the nails. If it turns out to be genuine ones we will arrest him and produce him before the local court and seek remand for further interrogation," Nala added. As per the 2010 lion census, there were 411 lions in Gir forests and its surroundings covering Bhavnagar, Junagadh and Amreli district.
 

PIL alleges illegal mining in Gir lion sanctuary in Gujarat

20-05-2015
PIL alleges illegal mining in Gir lion sanctuary in Gujarat
Business Standard
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/pil-alleges-illegal-mining-in-gir-lion-sanctuary-in-gujarat-115032001368_1.html
The Gujarat High Court today issued a notice to the state government and sought details of illegal sand-mining activities in Gir lion sanctuary, the only abode for the Asiatic lions, in connection with a PIL. 
A two-judge bench of the High Court, comprising justice Jayant Patel and justice G B Shah, directed the Commissioner of Mining and Geology in the state to give details about the alleged illegal sand-mining in Gir. 
"Submit a report about the area with the sketch where the excavation of sand in Shetrunji river alongside the lion sanctuary in Amreli and Junagadh district is permitted," the high court order said. 
The high court passed the order while hearing the PIL filed by a Surat city-based person Rajkumar Sutaria who alleged that illegal mining in the area causes life-threat to wild animals like Asiatic lions, sloth-bears, hyenas and golden jackals. 
"The Chief Conservator of Forests in Junagadh district and two Deputy Conservator of Forests in Amreli shall submit the incident with details, if any, of the fire set in the eco-sensitive zone for the purpose of mining activity," said the order. 
Although the Gir Asiatic lion sanctuary is protected as an eco-sensitive zone, where no construction or development activities can take place in a radius of 10 kms, mining in Shetrunji river is going on, which threatens the existence of the wildlife, alleged the petition. 
"Because of development of the mining activity in the river, the people working for the said activity are afraid of the wild animal coming to the river and therefore, just to keep the wildlife away from the working area, they light fire on the river bank which not only causes harm to the wildlife but also threatens their life," it said. 
The High Court has posted further hearing in this case on March 26. 
Earlier, a PIL was filed on the illegal tourism-zones in the Asiatic lion sactuary of Gujarat.

Rajya Sabha MP Comes to The Aid of Gir Lions

18-03-2015
Rajya Sabha MP Comes to The Aid of Gir Lions
The New Indian Express

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Rajya-Sabha-MP-Comes-to-The-Aid-of-Gir-Lions/2015/03/18/article2719690.ece

VADODARA: Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani has requested the Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, urging him to speed up implementation of measures to prevent deaths of lions on the railway tracks passing through the Gir sanctuary and surrouding areas.

Nathwani told sources today that Gujarat government had discussed the possible protective measures with the railway authorities and earmarked funds, but the railway ministry was yet to take any action.

 

Friday, April 10, 2015

Gujarat makes strong pitch in SC for its lions

18-3-2015

Gujarat makes strong pitch in SC for its lions
The Times Of  India
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat has finally presented a strong case to protect its pride — the Asiatic lion. Instead of taking refuge in technicalities, the state government has recently presented before the apex court scientific studies and guidelines of world's top conservation body — International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) — suggesting that translocation of lions from Gir in Gujarat to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh may not be a correct move. 

In an affidavit filed in response to a petition by Wildlife Conservation Trust (WTC), Rajkot, challenging the April 15, 2013, order of Supreme Court directing translocation of Gir lions to MP, the state government has submitted that there is no immediate ground for lion translocation as the big cat does not face any threat of extinction for the next 100 years. Currently, there are 411 lions in Gir sanctuary in Gujarat as per 2010 census.
 

"IUCN, in its red list, has noted that current population of Asiatic lions — though vulnerable — is a large and healthy one. Population and Habitat Viability Analysis workshop organized by IUCN in India has predicted 0% chance of extinction of lions over next 100 years," the affidavit says.
 

In fact, the Gujarat government has insinuated that translocation may prove counter-productive for tigers in MP instead. It has quoted National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) report that emphasizes Kuno Palpur as an important corridor for tiger movement between Ranthambore and Sihor. "This corridor should be developed as a tiger habit for tiger conservation." 

"Gujarat is of
 view that it is undesirable from a scientific, technical and legal point of view to direct the translocation of Asiatic lions to Kuno. It would be in the best interest of Asiatic lion if this subject is left to the experts in the field and to statutory authorities." 

Last month, a 12-member expert panel formed for translocating lions to MP sought maiden opinion from NTCA whether lion and tiger can co-exist in Kuno Palpur or if the body would rather prefer Kuno as a sole tiger habitat.
Lion

In an affidavit filed in response to a petition by Wildlife Conservation Trust (WTC), Rajkot, challenging the April 15, 2013, order of Supreme Court directing translocation of Gir lions to MP, the state government has submitted that there is no immediate ground for lion translocation as the big cat does not face any threat of extinction for the next 100 years.

Rs 82 lakh petrol used for patrolling in Gir forest

10-03-2015
Rs 82 lakh petrol used for patrolling in Gir forest
The Times Of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/developmental-issues/Rs-82-lakh-petrol-used-for-patrolling-in-Gir-forest/articleshow/46513741.cms
AHMEDABAD: The 309 bikes used for patrolling in Sasan Gir and adjoining forest areas have consumed fuel worth Rs 81.98 lakh in the last two years. This comes to be around Rs 36 per bike per day. A sum of Rs 10.83 lakh was used for repairs and maintenance of these bikes. 

In the reply to a question by Mahudha MLA Natwarsinh Thakore, the state government said that from February 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 petrol worth Rs 42.92 lakh was used by 309 bikes for patrolling and during the same period in 2014-2015 petrol worth Rs 39.06 lakh was used. 

The bikes were given for effective patrolling in Gir sanctuary and areas near the sanctuary. Each staffer had been instructed to maintain a logbook and not to use the 
vehicle for personal use, said the government. 

In the reply to another question by Thakore, the government said that 124 lions and 135 leopards had died in Gir and Dhari regions in the last two years ending January 31, 2015. 

The government said that 63 lions and 69 leopards died between February 1, 2013 and January 31, 2014, while during same period in 2014-2015 the number of lion deaths was 61 and that of leopards was 66. However, the government made it clear that no animal was poached in last two years. 

Power to sarpanch 

The state government said the village sarpanch has been given the power to eliminate neelgai destroying the standing crops. The government has also introduced a scheme to give 50% subsidy for creating barbed wire fencing around the fields.

 

The bikes were given for effective patrolling in Gir sanctuary and areas near the sanctuary. 

124 Lions and 135 Leopards Died in Gujarat in 2 Years

10-03-2015
124 Lions and 135 Leopards Died in Gujarat in 2 Years
NDTV
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/124-lions-and-135-leopards-died-in-gujarat-in-2-years-745319
GANDHINAGAR:  The Gujarat government today said that as many as 124 lions died during the last two years in and around Gir forest.

During the question hour in the Assembly, Congress MLA Natvarsinh Thakor raised a question about deaths of lions as well as leopards in Sasan Gir and Dhari Gir forests in the last two years.


In a written question, Thakor asked the Gujarat government to reveal how many animals died due to poaching.

In his written reply, Gujarat Forest Minister Mangubhai Patel stated that 124 lions and 135 leopards died during the last two years, adding that out of 124 lions, 63 died during 2013-14 (February 1,2013 to January  31, 2014) while 61 died during 2014-15.


Out of 135 leopards, 69 died during 2013-14, while 66 died during 2014-15, stated Patel's reply to the House. He clarified that none of these wildcats died due to poaching, adding that the majority of them have either died natural deaths or due to internal fights.

Congress MLA Raghavji Patel raised three separate questions about unnatural deaths of lions near the forest area in Junagadh and Amreli districts.

Through his written questions, Mr Patel sought answers from the Gujarat government about two cases of lions deaths, where he suspected that locals intentionally killed these lions to get rid of them.

In his first written question, Mr Patel asked the Gujarat government if
farmers living near forest were involved in poisoning the water by diluting urea in it, so that lions die after drinking it. He was referring to the death of a lion on the Visavadar-Dhari road in Amreli district during July-2013 after possibly drinking such water.

In his written answer, the Gujarat Forest Minister stated that it is not true that the lion died after drinking such poisonous water, since no such substance was found in the post mortem report.

On the issue of farmers' involvement in killing lions, the minister stated that no such question arose.

The Congress MLA also raised a question about the death of a lion cub, whose carcass was found inside a farm owned by the Junagadh Agricultural 
University on September 2014. Mr Patel asked the Gujarat government that what action was taken against culprits involved in killing that cub.

In his reply, Mangubhai Patel stated that the lion cub died a natural death and to there is no question of taking any action against anyone.

 

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