Enough measures taken to prevent lion deaths: Gujarat govt

The state’s submission came in response to a petition initiated by the HC

Nirupam Banerjee 

Source DNA Updated: Aug 27, 2019, 06:00 AM IST

Responding to a report submitted by amicus curiae Hemang Shah raising nine core issues that affect the Asiatic Lion population in the Gir region, the state government on Monday informed the court that it has taken enough measures to resolve the nine issues. Notably, the state's submission came in response to a suo motu petition initiated by the Gujarat High Court after multiple lion deaths were reported in the state last year.
The government informed the court that it has taken care of the open well problem by providing financial subsidy up to Rs 16,000 for construction of parapet wall around the wells and so far 37,201 open wells have been covered.
The state submitted that the 260.7 km long railway track from Pipavav Port to Surendranagar is passing through the lion habitat in Amreli district. Due to the lion deaths along the track, chain-link fencing has been erected along 81.06 km of the railway track to prevent accidents at a cost of Rs 11.84 crore and speed of trains passing through the area has been confined to 45 km per hour.
The state government also informed the court that technological solutions have been invited by the forest department for tracking the movement of lions across the railway tracks. It was submitted that 75 lions have been radio-collared. Regarding the issue of illegal electric fencing in the area, the government submitted that power discoms along with the forest and police department are regularly patrolling the area to solve the issue.
On the movement of vehicles along the six highways that pass through the Gir region, the state government has submitted that four of the highways that pass through the Gir protected area remain close for traffic from sunset to sunrise. The government has also rejected a suggestion that adequate lighting should be provided along roads in the area citing that it would adversely affect the movement of lions, which takes place during night hours. It has been also submitted that only 1 lion has died in road accident in the past two years.

GOVERNMENT REPLIES
It has taken care of the open well problem and so far 37,201 wells have been covered.
Technological solutions have been invited by the forest dept for tracking lions along the railway tracks passing through Gir.
33 rapid response teams and 10 rescue teams have been formed by the forest dept to avoid man-animal conflict.
Rs 11.84 cr Spent to erect chain-link fencing along 81.06 km of the railway track to prevent  accidents

On the issue of mining activities affecting the lion population, the government clarified that 9 stone quarrying sites are there near Thordi village having proximity to Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary. Four mining lease holders have been restrained from mining due to lack of environmental clearance certificate. In case of three mining units which were granted environmental clearance in March 2015, the Amreli collector in January 2019 had sought revocation of the lease and environmental clearance for violating norms. The government also submitted that all mining quarries in Thordi have been directed in July 2019 to construct 6-feet fencing around the quarry to avoid entry of lions. As far as illegal lion shows are concerned, 40 offences have been registered since 2016-17 to July 31, 2019, against 134 offenders, and a sum of Rs 6.03 lakh has been recovered from them. The government also submitted that hoteliers, farmhouse owners, and the local residents, have been made aware of the illegal lion shows.
On the issue of maintaining food chain and water in the Gir region, the government has submitted that enough preys are available for lions in and outside the forest area. The affidavit filed by the government provides that an estimated 1.51 lakh herbivore animals are there in the Gir protected area. It has been also submitted that old cows and bullocks cannot be infused in the forest area because of the risk of spreading of diseases in wild animals. The government also submitted that the nine rescue centres in Gir forest area provide the required treatment of lions. The court was also informed that 33 rapid response teams and 10 rescue teams have been formed by the forest department to avoid man-animal conflict.
https://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/report-enough-measures-taken-to-prevent-lion-deaths-gujarat-govt-2785196