Madhya Pradesh at fault over delay in shifting of Gir lions

22/11/2017
Madhya Pradesh at fault over delay in shifting of Gir lions
THE TIMES OF INDIA
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/madhya-pradesh-at-fault-over-delay-in-shifting-of-gir-lions/articleshow/61751272.cms

BHOPAL: It is none other than delay in notification of Kuno wildlife sanctuary as a national park that has hampered the project of shifting Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh.

At the sixth meeting of the expert committee on translocation of Asiatic lions, the MP government was asked to notify the area by February 2017, but to no avail. This was the last condition imposed by a Supreme Court-appointed committee.

In January this year, Gujarat's forest department had placed its objections before this 12-member committee and demanded that 36 studies be completed before the endangered Gir lions can be transferred to MP. "Converting this wildlife sanctuary into a national park was the last condition MP was asked to comply with.

But they didn't. Both MP and Gujarat governments are delaying procedural formalities," alleged RTI activist Ajay Dubey, who has filed a contempt petition against both governments for "undue delay in compliance of Supreme Court's order in shifting of lions".

Issues like prey base, habitat, vegetation and weather are said to be conductive for shifting of lions to Kuno. The MP forest department had promised to complete all formal processes of declaring Kuno as a 'national park' by the end of February, but failed to do so following varied administrative problems, aid sources. The expert committee had visited Kuno last December.

After spending nearly five hours at the sanctuary, the panel members had found the atmosphere in Kuno-Palpur suitable for shifting of lions. Gujarat, too, could not question much on MP's preparedness to host the lions, sources said.

Gujarat government had moved a curative petition in Supreme Court as its last legal resort to retain its Asiatic lions. It was dismissed.

When shortage of prey base was cited as one of the major objections, the state declared 700 sq km as a protected area to resolve the issue. Sources said the prey base, which was presented before the court in 2013, was nearly 350 sq. km, which is the core sanctuary area.

While MP won the eight-year-long legal battle with Gujarat in 2013, the latter had been dilly-dallying compliance.

Madhya Pradesh had been trying to mollify Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, after the loss Gujarat might feel following the Supreme Court directive for relocation of Asiatic Lions from Gujarat's Gir sanctuary to Kuno-Palpur sanctuary.

MP government circles had gone to the extent of suggesting that they were not averse to retaining the tag of 'Gir' or 'Gujarat' to identify the relocated lions at their new home in Kuno-Palpur.

The move for relocation of big cats, first mooted in 2000, had been hanging fire ever since because Gujarat had steadfastly refused to part with the majestic lions since that state held the unique distinction of being home to the natural habitat of the only surviving Asiatic lions.

While conservationists insisted that diversifying the lions' habitat would ward off any natural, medical or man-made calamity that could wipe out the entire population of Gir's lions, Gujarat treated the issue as a matter of pride and wanted to retain its unique status to continue to attract the substantial tourist inflow to Gir.

After the Supreme Court finally resolved the issue in favour of relocation, Gujarat is left with little choice but to comply.

Rajkot NGO joins lion translocation tussle in Supreme Court

20/11/2017
Rajkot NGO joins lion translocation tussle in Supreme Court
The Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/rajkot-ngo-joins-lion-translocation-tussle-in-sc/articleshow/61716935.cms

AHMEDABAD: The Supreme Court has allowed an NGO, Wildlife Conservation Trust, Rajkot, to join a contempt petition filed by Ajay Dubey, a wildlife activist from Madhya Pradesh. Dubey has challenged the non-implementation of the SC order given in 2013, directing translocation of lions from Sasan Gir to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh.

The NGO has submitted that translocation of any wild animal, as defined in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, cannot be undertaken without the specific approval of the state. Citing behavioural concerns of lions the petitioner submitted that to order translocation without considering pride behaviour may act counterproductive to to survival of the big cats.

Tushar Gokani, advocate for the petitioner said, "We had during the hearing in the apex court sought permission and the court has permitted the trust to file an impleadment application in the contempt petition which is going on in the apex court." The apex court had issued notice to Gujarat government and has listed the petition for hearing in January.

Gokani further said the trust has also filed a fresh petition. That petition was listed for hearing on Friday, but since Madhya Pradesh wanted more time to submit some documents, the matter will now be listed after 10 weeks.

The NGO has submitted that Gujarat state has tried to put forward several arguments before the expert committee formed by the order of the Supreme Court dated April 15 this year, but the committee which was bound by the directions given in the judgement, was not willing to hear any arguments against translocation.

The petitioner organization has raised concerns of animal behaviour and submitted that the court has been misguided on the issue of status of lions. The petitioner said the status of the Asiatic Lion was not critically endangered, but that according to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature it has been listed as endangered species.

The petitioner demanded that the Supreme Court should consider that under Wildlife Protection Act, 1935, the Chief Wildlife Warden, the state government and Central government are appropriate authorities to decide on translocation of any species.

SC notice to govt over contempt plea

15/11/2017
SC notice to govt over contempt plea
THE TIMES OF INDIA
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/sc-notice-to-govt-over-contempt-plea/articleshow/61650317.cms

AHMEDABAD: The Supreme court acting on a contempt petition filed by wildlife activists from Madhya Pradesh has issued notices to the government of India and Gujarat government. The petitioner, Ajay Dubey has challenged the non-implementation of the apex court order of April 2013, directing translocation of lions to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh from Sasan Gir in Gujarat, and has sought action against the Union government and state government of Gujarat.

"We welcome the court's decision. Translocation of lions is not only important for the environment but also for the poor people in Sheopur. They will get a new source of livelihood," said Dubey after the notices were issued.

The petition was taken up for hearing in October and was listed on Tuesday. "We argued in the court today, and the court after hearing the counsel issued notices to the Gujarat government and the government of India. The notice is returnable in four days. The hearing will now take place in January," said Varun K Chopra, the advocate appearing for the petitioners in the Supreme Court.

Madhya Pradesh's hopes of getting Asiatic lions to its land had faded after Narendra Modi, the proud custodian of Gir lions, moved from Gandhinagar to Delhi. But in another blow to MP's hopes, two Gujarat-based NGOs, too, had filed separate petitions challenging translocation of lions to Kuno.

Dubey has highlighted the wilful non-compliance of the apex court order of April 15, 2013. The said order directed the respondents to constitute an expert committee to oversee and ensure re-introduction of Asiatic lions from Gir forest to Kuno Palpur. The respondents have not taken any action to implement the directions of the court and have instead raised technical objections challenging the very rationale of the directions, the petitioner submitted.

The petitioner submitted that Gujarat has in the expert committee meeting raised a contention that prey density at Kuno is not adequate. The Supreme Court in its order has stated that several prey density surveys have been conducted by various experts, WII and the government of Madhya Pradesh, including in 2004-2005, 2008 and 2012 surveys and the prey density was higher than the existing prey base in Gir.

The government of Gujarat in a letter to the expert committee has contended that the presence of tigers in the occupied area at Kuno is one of the major obstacles for the translocation project. However according to Dr Asad Rehmani of Bombay Natural History Society, sporadic presence of tigers in Kuno is in no case detrimental to reintroduction of lions, the petitioner has submitted before the apex court.

VIDEO: Bikers chase lions in Gir forest, just for fun

12/11/2017
VIDEO: Bikers chase lions in Gir forest, just for fun
The Indian EXPRESS
http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/viral-videos-trending/video-bikers-chase-lions-in-gir-forest-gujarat-arrested-4931786/

We agree there is a thrill of the chase and many adventurers love to do things that give them an adrenaline rush, but there are also things that are simply foolish. One such incident happened in Gujarat when men on a motorcycle chased a lion and a lioness! Yes, believe it or not, but these daredevils chased the poor animals deep into the woods for quite long.

The shocking video surfaced online and the men can be heard speaking in Gujarati as they continue to follow the animal running away at high speed in very close proximity. And not just dead into the night, the second part of the video clearly shows four men on two bikes bothering the animals even in daylight.

The footage was shared by news agency ANI and they said that the police have arrested three people so far. Gir sanctuary in Gujarat, the home to Asiatic lions, is supposed to have tight security.

Bikers Chasing Lion, Lioness In Gujarat's Gir On Video, Three Arrested

09/11/2017

Bikers Chasing Lion, Lioness In Gujarat's Gir On Video, Three Arrested

NDTV

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bikers-chasing-lion-lioness-in-gujarats-gir-on-video-probe-ordered-1773090

AHMEDABAD:  A video that shows a group of bikers chasing lions in Gujarat's Gir sanctuary has gone viral. The four men, three of whom, the police say, have been arrested, are seen chasing lions, lionesses and cubs. The license plate for one of the bikes can be seen. The lions run frantically to escape the interlopers.

The video was posted on Facebook yesterday.

Wildlife officials are trying to track down the fourth man and the source of the video.

One biker, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, was arrested from near Rajkot earlier today. He was tracked down through the resgistration number of the bike and information from the local villagers. Later in the day, two others were arrested, one from Amreli and another from Rajkot.

 

The Gir sanctuary in western Gujarat is  the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions.  Asiatic lions -- different from African lions, with a characteristic fold of skin on their bellies and thinner manes on males -- once roamed most of Asia.

The 1,400 sq km sanctuary has around 400 lions. But relentless development - roads through the forest, expanding villages and illegal mining - is forcing animal-human proximity.

While the animals frequently wander into local villages, there have been reports of deliberate chase and cruelty. In June, a 50-second video had surfaced  that showed a group of men in a car chasing a lion cub through the forest in Amreli district.

In May last year, a four-year-old lion had accidentally fallen into dry well in the same area. While chasing the village's grazing buffaloes, it was surprised by a group of women. As the panic stricken animal tried to flee, it fell into the dry well. It was later rescued and released in the forest.

SC notice to govt over contempt plea

15/11/2017
SC notice to govt over contempt plea
The Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/sc-notice-to-govt-over-contempt-plea/articleshow/61650317.cms

AHMEDABAD: The Supreme court acting on a contempt petition filed by wildlife activists from Madhya Pradesh has issued notices to the government of India and Gujarat government. The petitioner, Ajay Dubey has challenged the non-implementation of the apex court order of April 2013, directing translocation of lions to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh from Sasan Gir in Gujarat, and has sought action against the Union government and state government of Gujarat.

"We welcome the court's decision. Translocation of lions is not only important for the environment but also for the poor people in Sheopur. They will get a new source of livelihood," said Dubey after the notices were issued.

The petition was taken up for hearing in October and was listed on Tuesday. "We argued in the court today, and the court after hearing the counsel issued notices to the Gujarat government and the government of India. The notice is returnable in four days. The hearing will now take place in January," said Varun K Chopra, the advocate appearing for the petitioners in the Supreme Court.

Madhya Pradesh's hopes of getting Asiatic lions to its land had faded after Narendra Modi, the proud custodian of Gir lions, moved from Gandhinagar to Delhi. But in another blow to MP's hopes, two Gujarat-based NGOs, too, had filed separate petitions challenging translocation of lions to Kuno.

Dubey has highlighted the wilful non-compliance of the apex court order of April 15, 2013. The said order directed the respondents to constitute an expert committee to oversee and ensure re-introduction of Asiatic lions from Gir forest to Kuno Palpur. The respondents have not taken any action to implement the directions of the court and have instead raised technical objections challenging the very rationale of the directions, the petitioner submitted.

The petitioner submitted that Gujarat has in the expert committee meeting raised a contention that prey density at Kuno is not adequate. The Supreme Court in its order has stated that several prey density surveys have been conducted by various experts, WII and the government of Madhya Pradesh, including in 2004-2005, 2008 and 2012 surveys and the prey density was higher than the existing prey base in Gir.

The government of Gujarat in a letter to the expert committee has contended that the presence of tigers in the occupied area at Kuno is one of the major obstacles for the translocation project. However according to Dr Asad Rehmani of Bombay Natural History Society, sporadic presence of tigers in Kuno is in no case detrimental to reintroduction of lions, the petitioner has submitted before the apex court.

Bhopal: Clarify stand on Asiatic lions: SC tells Gujarat, MoEF

15/11/2017
Bhopal: Clarify stand on Asiatic lions: SC tells Gujarat, MoEF
THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL
http://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-clarify-stand-on-asiatic-lions-sc%E2%80%88tells-gujarat-moef/1170523

Bhopal: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Gujarat government and Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) to clear its stand regarding the non-compliance of its previous order for translocation of Asiatic lions from Gir (Gujarat) to Kuno Palpur in MP's Sheopur district, located 140 kilometres from Gwalior.

The court issued the order in response to the contempt petition filed by RTI activist Ajay Dubey.In April 2013, Supreme Court had ordered translocation of Asiatic lions.

Wildlife activist Fayaz Khudsar had filed a public interest litigation in the apex court in 2006 and sought translocation of Gir lions to MP. In April 2013, the apex court in a judgment directed that the lions be translocated to Kuno Palpur in MP. In fact,the committee constituted by the Supreme Court in 2013 visited Kuno Palpur Sanctuary and held its meeting there. After the meeting, the committee members came to conclusion that Kuno was ideally suited to become a second home for Asiatic llions.

Translocation of lions from Gir to Kuno Palpur has been a bone of contention between two BJP rules states for more than a decade with Prime Minister Narendra Modi terming the big cats as "pride of Gujarat" which the state cannot share with others. He made this statement when he was Gujarat's chief minister between 2002 and 2014.

The committee during its last meeting held in December 2016 in Kuno, in which officials from Gujarat forest department also participated, reiterated that the wildlife habitat was "ideally suited to become second home for lions." Varun Chopra, the Supreme Court advocate and counsel for Ajay Dubey, said,"Supreme court issued notices to MoEF and Gujarat government over translocation of Asiatic lions.Despite committee's recommendations,lions have not been translocated."

VIDEO OF BIKERS CHASING LIONS IN AMRELI GOES VIRAL: COPS ARREST FOUR SUSPECTS ON THE BASIS OF BIKES' LICENCE PLATES

10/11/2017

VIDEO OF BIKERS CHASING LIONS IN AMRELI GOES VIRAL: COPS ARREST FOUR SUSPECTS ON THE BASIS OF BIKES' LICENCE PLATES
AhmedabadMirror
http://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others/police-arrests-four-for-chasing-lions-on-bikes-in-amreli/articleshow/61584726.cms

The police on Thursday arrested four persons who could be seen in a video chasing lions on their bikes. The video was reportedly taken in Amreli about six months ago by the accused while they were chasing away a pride of lions on their bikes. However, the video went viral only on Wednesday following which the forest department approached the police to catch hold of the culprits.

The video showed four persons chasing away lions, lionesses and cubs who ran helter-skelter due to noise of the vehicles. The forest department brought the issue to the notice of the police which in turn took help of RTO to track down the vehicles based on number plates seen in the video. One of the vehicles was traced to Rajkot and its owner Padshala Ankur was arrested. Based on his interrogation, police arrested Jayesh Patat, Ajay Vala and Vala Bhimji, all residents of Babara in Amreli district. They had been to Amreli to watch lions about six months ago.

According to Forest Act 1927, there is a provision of six years imprisonment for chasing or harassing scheduled (endangered) species. Forest department officials said the lions being chased were disturbed, harassed and chased by the accused. "There are chances that the lions were mating when the incident took place. There are chances that either of the adult lions can now attack human beings." Chief Conservator of Forest A P Singh said, "Police has arrested the accused and further investigation is on. Strict action will be taken in the matter." Police is also looking into the IP address to determine from where the video was first uploaded.

Bikers caught on video chasing lions in Gir sanctuary, 3 arrested

10/11/2017

Bikers caught on video chasing lions in Gir sanctuary, 3 arrested
Hindustantimes
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/video-shows-group-of-bikers-chasing-endangered-asiatic-lions-in-gujarat-s-gir-forest/story-iymi68miyqYvMESC86uqEN.html

Three men were arrested on Thursday after a video showing motorcyclists chasing Asiatic lions in Gujarat's Gir Wildlife Sanctuary circulated online. Officials are trying to track down the fourth suspect, according to a NDTV report.

In the video posted on Facebook on Wednesday, the four men can be heard speaking in Gujarati as lions and lionesses frantically run.

Forest officials have initiated an inquiry into the incident and authorities are working on tracking the source of the video.

The registration number of a motorcycle visible on the video led the Gujarat Police to one biker who was arrested in Rajkot. Another biker was held in Rajkot later in the day while the third was arrested from Amreli.

The Gir sanctuary in western Gujarat is the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions in the world. The 1,400 sq km sanctuary and its surrounding areas Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts are home to 523 Asiatic lions, according to the 2015 census by the state forest department.

In June, the Gujarat forest department had arrested four people for chasing a lion cub in their car in Visavadar taluka of Junagadh district located close to the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.

Although none of the occupants of the car could be seen in the video, one of them is heard asking the driver in Gujarati to chase the cub: "Increase speed, hit it... go fast.. shoot it.. we will not get the chance again." Authorities, however, clarified that 'shoot' it meant capturing the chase on camera, and not shooting the cub with a gun.

One arrested after video of four men chasing lions through Gir sanctuary goes viral

09/11/2017
One arrested after video of four men chasing lions through Gir sanctuary goes viral
Scroll.In
https://scroll.in/latest/857282/one-arrested-after-video-of-four-men-chasing-lions-through-gir-sanctuary-goes-viral

The Gujarat Police have arrested one of the four miscreants who chased lions, lionesses and cubs through the Gir sanctuary, as seen in a video that went viral on Wednesday. The police tracked down the accused near Rajkot on Thursday through the licence plate number and with help from villagers, NDTV reported .

In the video, the frightened animals can be seen running away from the bike-borne intruders. Forest officials said they are on track to find the three others from the clip. Wildlife authorities are trying to trace the source of the video. It is not known yet when it was taken.

The 1,400-sq-km expanse of the Gir sanctuary in West Gujarat is the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions, which were once found in much of the continent. Today, the 400 lions that live there deal with increasing human proximity because of developments such as roads through the forest, expanding villages and illegal mining.

Four bikers chase, bully lions in Gujarat's Gir and the video is viral – Watch

09/11/2017
Four bikers chase, bully lions in Gujarat's Gir and the video is viral – Watch
TIMES NOW
http://www.timesnownews.com/the-buzz/article/gujarat-gir-wildlife-sanctuary-lions-viral-video-bikes/122072

Ahmedabad: A video showing four men on two bikes chasing lions, lionesses and their cubs, and bullying them in Gujarat's Gir forest, has gone viral.

The video, which lasts less than a minute, has left wildlife lovers and activists furious.

In the video, most likely shot in Amreli area of Saurashtra region near the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat, lions are seen running frantically to escape the intruders.

The video has gone viral on the social media.

Forest officials have begun an inquiry into the incident and four persons have reportedly been arrested.

The Gir sanctuary is the world's only remaining natural habitat of popular Asiatic lions.

14 villages on Gir fringe get revenue rights

18/10/2017
14 villages on Gir fringe get revenue rights
The Times of India

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/14-villages-on-gir-fringe-get-revenue-rights/articleshow/61123709.cms

AHMEDABAD: In another key decision taken on Tuesday, the board decided to give revenue rights to 14 villages on the periphery of Gir sanctuary. So far, these villages did not have revenue rights and were unable to get loans or go for construction. With revenue rights, these villages will get corresponding benefits.

Around 26sq km of the 1,412 sq km Gir Sanctuary will be diverted for this purpose. Officials said that of these 14 villages, three are within the sanctuary.

The decision of the state government to allow 50 devotees to stay overnight at the Kankai Mataji temple in the Gir sanctuary was raised by SBWL member Bhushan Pandya. The decision had raised the hackles of wildlife activists and even members of the State Board for Wildlife.

Pandya had pointed out that the move will hurt conservation. He said that he also pointed out that there were no prayers that had to be performed at night. The Board later directed the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) G K Sinha to re-examine the issue.

The SBWL has kept in abeyance a proposal for construction of a jetty at Marine National Park.

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani throws open Ambardi lion safari park

18/10/2017

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani throws open Ambardi lion safari park

The IndianExpress

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/vijay-rupani-throws-open-lion-safari-park-4896041/

Five days after the Gujarat High Court cleared the decks for the lion safari park at Ambardi in Amreli district, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday formally threw open the park. Rupani released three zoo-bred Asiatic lions in the safari park, located in Gir (East) forest division near Dhari in Amreli district.

 

The park has been developed by carving out around 400 hectare or four square Km area out of Ambardi reserved forest. A wire fencing separates the park from the reserved forest located on the bank of river Shetrunji behind Khodiyar dam. Last week, the High Court dismissed a PIL filed by one Biren Pandya who claimed that Gujarat government did not have required permission from Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for opening the park. Pandya had claimed that the final clearance for the park was given by a technical committee of the CZA.

 

However, early in June this year, the CZA accorded final approval to the park. Disposing of the PIL, the High Court noted that the authorities had obtained relevant permission for the safari park. Rupani said that the opening of Ambardi safari park will decrease pressure on Gir National Park and Sanctuary at Sasan and Devaliya Safari park.

 

"The reduced tourist footfall at Sasan and Devaliya will augur well for their ecology without adversely impacting eco-tourism," said Anirudhha Pratap Singh, chief conservator of forests of Junagadh wildlife circle. Gir forest and other protected areas spread over Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts in the Saurashtra region are the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions in the world. A 2015 census had estimated the population of Asiatic lion to 523.

 

The inauguration comes around 17 years after the idea of safari park was first mooted in 2001. While the fencing work had begun in 2010, relevant facilities were developed by 2013. However, due to lack of clearance and litigations challenging the project, the park could not be inaugurated. The project cost now stands at Rs13 crore. "We have sought permission for increasing the number of lions inside the park to eight. The park has the capacity to accommodate 16 lions," Singh said.

 

Gir Sanctuary collects its highest ticket revenue ever

17/10/2017

Gir Sanctuary collects its highest ticket revenue ever

TIME OF INDIA

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/gir-sanctuary-collects-its-highest-ticket-revenue-ever/articleshow/61108927.cms

 

AHMEDABAD: From June 2016 to June 2017, the Gir forest clocked its highest ever revenue for a single year, collecting Rs 10.25 crore from 5.22 lakh tourists who visited the Gir sanctuary and the Devaliya interpretation zone.

 

The rush continued and is evident this Diwali as well, with no online permits available for the vacation period till October 30. There are no online permit available on the weekends till January 14. Officials said that the tourist rush was increasing with every passing day. Chief conservator of forests A P Singh said 5.22 lakh tourists visited Gir in the last year. This is the second highest number of tourists after 2015, when the number was 5.33 lakh. "We are also expecting a huge rush during Diwali, as the park has just reopened after four months and it is the festival season."

 

The Gir region in Saurashtra, which is the last habitat of the endangered Asiatic lion, has seen a rise in tourist numbers ever since the state tourism department launched a campaign featuring Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.

 

Sources in the department said that during the festive period, the number of permits has been increased from 90 to 150, but there is still a huge rush. The revenue thus collected is used for lion conservation. Officials expect the number of tourists to grow next year. The tourist season for Gir sanctuary is from October 15 to June 15. The park remains closed for the remainder of the year as the roads are not motorable.