TNN | Updated: Oct 16, 2018, 05:28 IST
A bench of Chief Justice R S Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi directed the Centre to show its long-term plan for lion conservation and allocation of funds for the big cats — whether they have increased or decreased over the years.
During the hearing of a suo motu PIL filed by the HC on deaths of 182 lions in last two years, the court sought to know why the Centre’s funds are in thousands for a lion and in lakhs for a tiger. This was on basis of a report by amicus curiae Hemang Shah who cited a TOI report stating that the Centre had allocated Rs 95,000 for a lion, whereas it granted Rs 15 lakh for a tiger under Project Tiger.
On Monday, the amicus curie highlighted again the problems that plague Gir sanctuary for lion conservation. Advocate Shah stressed on quick resolution of issues like open wells, electrocution of lions and controlling speeds of vehicles on highways that pass through the forest areas. He submitted that over 17,000 wells have remained open and the government should be asked to place action taken report every two months for covering those wells. He reiterated the measures suggested in his report to stop electrocution deaths.To explain the measures taken to curb spread of the virus which caused lions’ deaths in last month, additional advocate general Prakash Jani told the HC about the vaccination plans. He submitted that the deaths occurred in a limited area of 150sq km out of 1,800 sq km belonging to Gir forest. To this, the judges said, “Vaccination of lions is a specialized subject and we are not subject expert. The opinions and suggestions of the experts need to be followed. We also read about a lion falling into a well yesterday and it is a very serious matter.”
The HC said that the lion conservation programme should be implemented in a time-bound manner. It also asked the state government to supply information on the building of parapets around open wells.
Meanwhile, in another PIL that opposes the proposed reduction of eco-sensitive zone
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/gujarat-high-court-questions-centre-over-meagre-funding-for-lions/articleshow/66228899.cms
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