RAJKOT: Wildlife activists have filed over 50 complaint on the portal of Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) expressing concern about the recent deaths of lions in Gir region. They have also alleged apathy on the part of forest department and the state government over the issue.
The activists have also demanded filling up of vacant posts of forest officials in crucial area of lion conservation in Gir region.
These activists include organizations like Wild Saurashtra and Sky Forest Youth Club have also made representations to the state government through emails.
The activists have requested PMO to direct the forest department get the lions tested for CDV. “It’s learnt that no test samples were sent for virus examination. What is the harm in confirming it by prompt testing at standard lab?” the complaint stated.
They also refused to accept the theory that the entire pride of lions was rescued as one of the cubs was ill. They argued that it has been a well accepted practice to capture only the unwell lions or cubs and release them with their pride after treatment.
Dharmesh Kargathara, member of Wild Saurashtra said, “Our demand is clear. One, get the lions tested for CDV and second is fill the vacant post of senior officials in wildlife circle. A big division like Gir east where there are significant numbers of lion cannot have an in-charge head. There should be full time head for this division.”
According to the complaint, the post of deputy conservator of forest (DFC) in Gir east division has been vacant since last one year. Important Gir ranges like Tulsishyam, Hadala, Dalkhaniya falls under this Gir east division where more then dozen lions have died because of some disease.
More than 23 lions had died due to canine distemper virus (CDV) in Dalkhaniya range in 2018. As many as 33 lions were captured, which are yet to be released in the wild.
The activists claimed that the post of assistant conservator of forest in Visavadar and Sasan was also vacant, besides the post of deputy conservator of forest (task force), since last one year.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/activists-flag-concern-over-crucial-vacant-posts-in-gir/articleshow/75332388.cms
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