ASIATIC LIONS in Lok Sabha.

Parliamen
ASIATIC LIONS
3 Mar 2010
Lok Sabha
SHRI HARIN PATHAK

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Gir Forest in Gujarat is the only and last home for Asiatic Lions in India;
(b) if so, whether the Government intends to be helpful in protection and conservation of the Asiatic Lions;
(c) if so, the details thereof indicating therein the financial help provided to the State Government of Gujarat for the years 2008-09 and 2009-10;
(d) whether the Government of Gujarat had submitted any proposal for financial assistance for any project related to protection and conservation of the Asiatic Lions; and
(e) if so, the details thereof indicating the amount of assistance proposed to be released to Gujarat?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a), (b)& (c) Yes Sir. The Gir Forests in Gujarat is the only habitat of Asiatic Lion in India. The Central Government strongly supports conservation of Asiatic Lion and provides financial assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of `Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats` (IDWH).The financial assistance provided to state for lion conservation in 2008-09 and 2009-10 is Rs. 32.00 lakh and Rs. 92.08 lakh respectively.

(d)&(e) Government of Gujarat has submitted a project entitled `A plan for consolidating long-term conservation of Asiatic lion in the greater Gir region`. The project proposal is for an amount of Rs. 236.17 crores of which Central Government`s share is 90% and State Government`s share is 10%. The Ministry has requested the Planning Commission to provide additional funds under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme `Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats` (IDWH) for considering the proposal.

Source: http://www.tigernet.nic.in/Alluser/Parliament_Detail.aspx?Parliament_Id=70