Published: Thursday, Mar 15, 2012, 15:36 IST
By Jumana Shah | Place: Ahmedabad | Agency: DNA
The threat of Gujarat losing its hegemony over hosting the last breed
of Asiatic Lions is getting real. Last month, during a hearing of the
Asiatic lion relocation case in Supreme Court, the forest Bench of
Justices KS Radhakrishnan and CK Prasad had remarked that the lions are
not the “property” of the state but belong to the nation.
Following further arguments this Monday, opinion of the state
wildlife board has now been sought by SC. Geared up for defense, a
sudden meeting of the SWLB chaired by Narendra Modi has been called on
Friday in Sachivalaya with the main agenda to discuss the arguments to
be presented in the court, so as not to share the lions “under any
circumstances” with Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno Palpur Sanctuary.
Even
as the arguments are continuing, forest officials in Gujarat fear the
worst. SC has also observed that the court’s concern is conserving the
critically endangered species, rather than fighting over the ownership
of the lions. Gujarat’s counsel Hemantika Vahi told DNA, “We
are not disputing that they are national property. Our main argument is
the limited prey base and poaching incidents reported from MP.” Hearing
of the case has been scheduled for every Monday in Supreme Court.
Arguments of the SWLB will be heard coming Monday, where National Board
for Wildlife in India and MP officials have also been asked to remain
present.
The NBWLI has supported the movement of a few prides to
MP to save them from any epidemic and maintaining genetic diversity.
Wildlife activist Faiyaz Khudsar had filed PIL in the SC requesting the
translocation of the lions from Gir to Kuno on the grounds that a
singular epidemic can wipe out the entire population.
Despite the
ongoing Assembly session, chief minister Narendra Modi is expected to
chair the meeting. "He has been personally following this matter since
the case was filed in 2006," a senior forester said. Modi has taken over
as chairman of SWLB since 2004, earlier held by the state's forest
minister.
Though the neighbouring state is governed by BJP,
Modi's equations with CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan are not known to be the
best and the lions are believed to have contributed to it.State
government has passionately refused to part with the lions and Modi has
publicly 'promised' that "Gujarat's lions will not leave the state".
Sources in the SWLB assert that the establishment is still in "no mood
to part with the lions". Significantly, all of the nine members on the
board seem to be in agreement. "Like the Narmada Dam project, this is a
very sensitive issue involving Gujarati pride and ego. It is out and out
a political issue. People of Saurashtra and politicians are on the same
page on this," a member of the board said.
The lion population
has witnessed a healthy rise in the last two decades in Gir Wildlife
Sanctuary in Junagadh. The last census in 2010 pegged their numbers at
411 in the region. However, the issue of relocating some lions to
neighbouring MP has gained momentum as the sanctuary spread over 1,436
sq km has exceeded its carrying capacity.
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_gujarat-gears-up-to-halt-relocation-of-gir-lions_1662728
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