Transfer surplus Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh says

14-05-2015
Transfer surplus Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh says 
The Economic Times
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/environment/flora-fauna/transfer-surplus-gir-lions-to-madhya-pradesh-digvijaya-singh-says/articleshow/47288026.cms

NEW DELHI:: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Wednesday called for the translocation of "surplus" lions from the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh.

A lion in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat. In 2013, the Supreme Court had ordered the translocation of Asiatic Lions from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh, stating that since the species is facing extinction, it needs a "second home". (Getty Images file photo) 

Taking to Twitter, Singh said: "Gujarat has been denying lions from Gir to be translocated to MP despite MP having made all arrangements in Kunu National Park."

"Now Gujarat has surplus lions it should allow lions to be translocated to MP There should be no ego issue as both states are BJP ruled," he added .. 
n 2013, the Supreme Court had ordered the translocation of Asiatic Lions from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh, stating that since the species is facing extinction, it needs a "second home".


An Asiatic lionesses play in the shade of a tree near the village of Sasan, on the edge of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. (AFP file photo)

However, the Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat governments are reportedly engaged in a legal battle over the same. The Rajkot-based NGO Wildlife Conservation Trust has also challenged the order.

A census carried out this month has fixed the lion population in Gir, Gujarat at 523.