GPS to track tourist safari vehicles in Gir

Vijaysinh Parmar | TNN | Jul 4, 2016, 07.04 AM ISTRajkot: All tourist vehicles entering the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, the last abode of Asiatic lions, will have to mandatorily install Global Positioning System (GPS).

The forest department is planning to make it compulsory in order to track the tourist vehicles, mostly gypsys that operate in the sanctuary. The GPS-mounted vehicles will help forest department to locate each and vehicles that go inside the sanctuary with tourists.

"We recently held meeting with all gypsy owners who are operating these tourist vehicles in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and they have agreed to install the new system for better management of wildlife tourism. We plan operationalize this system from the next tourists' season when the sanctuary opens in October,'' Ram Ratan Nala, deputy conservator of forests, wildlife division, Sasan (Gir) told TOI.


Nala said that the idea is to ensure that tourist vehicles don't enter the areas which are not allowed or permitted for them. "Sometimes, vehicles knowingly or unknowingly enter the routes that are banned for tourists. GPS will help us locate such movements on a real-time basis. If any vehicle enters the 'no-go zone', we will get an alert," he said.

There are eight routes in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary for tourists who get vehicles from Sasan (Gir). There are 150 vehicles in Sasan (Gir) which operate as tourist vehicles in Gir Sanctuary. Forest department officials are in talks with firms that provide GPS equipment.

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The new initiative will help manage wildlife tourism better inside Gir.Vijaysinh Parmar

"Primary estimate suggests that a GPS system on vehicle costs around Rs 10,000. But if we order them on large scale, the cost might come down Rs 6,000. The cost will have to paid by gypsy owners,'' an official said.

The permits to visit Gir Sanctuary have been made online. The forest department allows 90 permits a day and it goes up to maximum 150 permits per day in holiday and festival seasons when tourist rush is more. In all, 1.32 lakh tourists visited Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in 2015-16.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/GPS-to-track-tourist-safari-vehicles-in-Gir/articleshow/53038391.cms

This Gir's gatekeeper keeps encroachers away

TOI
Rajkot Sun,03 Jul 2016

Summary: In fact, the forest land near villages like Ramlechi, Jepur, Chitravad and Dhanech have been cleared of orchards and houses that were illegally built. Talala (Gir-Somnath): More than lions, it is the fear of 25-year-old Madhu Karangiya that stalks villagers near Gir Sanctuary in Talala. The forest department moved the Gujarat HC and Madhu got a stay on her arrest and chargesheet. Karangiya has cleared over 39 hectare of encroachment into the forest land, made arrests on offences of illegal entry and unauthorized grazing and followed thro ugh with the collection of fine.'' "Election pachhi Madhu namnu prani anhiya nahi hoy (After elections, this animal named Madhu won't be here)," some local netas had said, while canvassing. Talala (Gir-Somnath): More than lions, it is the fear of 25-year-old Madhu Karangiya that stalks villagers near Gir Sanctuary in Talala. They say it is possible to stave off a lion attack but no one can escape the watchful eyes of this woman forester who has been relentlessly fighting to ward off encroachers who try to grab forest land.Madhu, who is posted in Ghansh Round beat in Talala forest range of Gir-West division, has been instrumental in clearing encroachments like pucca houses and orchards from nearly 39 hectare forest land in the Asiatic lions' last abode. In fact, the forest land near villages like Ramlechi, Jepur, Chitravad and Dhanech have been cleared of orchards and houses that were illegally built.

The same area is now rejuvenated with various flora and fauna.Madhu, a native of Bamansha village near Keshod, is responsible for protecting the lions and forest in the 22 sq km area. She was one of the three members of Gir Protection Team, which received 'Sanctuary Asia Award' last year.The award citation reads: "Madhu Karangiya's dedication to her job as forester has never even momentarily faltered. Karangiya has cleared over 39 hectare of encroachment into the forest land, made arrests on offences of illegal entry and unauthorized grazing and followed thro ugh with the collection of fine.'' Madhu's dedication to wildlife protection may have won accolades but her crackdown has obviously not gone down well with the wrongdoers and even some netas, who stooped to terrible lows in their public discourse.During the Talala by-elections held in May , some local politicians had termed her as an "animal".

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/This-Girs-gatekeeper-keeps-encroachers-away/articleshow/53027716.cms

Villagers kill wild leopard in Gujarat

Published On: Sat, Jul 2nd, 2016

Wildlife | By IndiLeak Bureau

Paucity of prey animals forces a carnivore to enter near human settlement

Ahmedabad: The only mistake committed by it was to have ventured into an area that was out of bound and the punishment was `capital’. Yes, this happened with a wild leopard that strayed into a village from its wild confines and was beaten to death by the villagers without giving it a chance to make amends.
According to wildlife official, a leopard strayed in a village of Gujarat’s Botad district from the neighbouring Gir wildlife sanctuary and killed a cow. “The moment, the leopard was spotted by the villagers they attacked it with sticks and stones till it died.”
Since the entire incident was filmed and the video widely circulated through regional TV channels on Saturday, it can easily be said that what actually happened was not instantaneous. Keeping this fact in mind, the forest department registered an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act against unknown persons for killing a schedule-1 animal.
However, no arrest has been made so far in this connection.
Experts are of the firm view that paucity of prey animals forces a carnivore to enter near human settlement for preying on domestic livestock. “Dog is a preferred prey of leopards but in this case it came into contact with a cow which was killed by it,” said an expert.
He said that on seeing a leopard killing a cow the infuriated villagers surrounded it and without giving a chance beat the poor feline to death.
As per information this particular male leopard in its prime had no history of attacking humans and it was a chance that hunger drove this animal to its gory death.
http://www.indileak.com/villagers-kill-wild-leopard-near-gujarats-gir-sanctuary/

Scientists at Junagadh Agricultural University find gold in urine of Gir cows

28 June, 2016

The famous Gir cows urinate gold, almost literally. After four years of extensive research, scientists of the Junagadh Agricultural University have (JAU) have found traces of gold in the urine of Gir cows.

After analyzing urine samples of 400 Gir cows at the Food Testing Laboratory of JAU, the scientists found 3 to 10 mg of gold per one litre urine. The gold found in the urine was in the form of water soluble gold salts.

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The team of researchers, headed by Dr BA Golakia, head of JAU's biotechnology department, used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method to analyze the samples of urine. Dr Golakia said, "Till now, we have heard about presence of gold in cow urine from our ancient scriptures and its medicinal properties. Since there was no detailed scientific analysis to prove this, we decided to undertake a research on cow urine. We analyzed 400 samples of Gir cow urine and found traces of gold."
According to Golakia, the gold can be extracted from the urine and solidified using chemical process. The researchers also tested urine samples of camels, buffaloes, sheep and goats but they did not find any anti-biotic elements in them.
Golakia said that of the 5,100 compounds found in Gir cow urine, 388 were found to be having immense medicinal properties that can cure many ailments. He was assisted in research by Jaimin, Rajesh Vijay and Shraddha. The team now plans to analyze urine sample of 39 other indigenous cow breeds to know whether their urine contains gold or not.
Gir cow is a specie of cattle originating from the Gir forest region of the state of Gujarat. The Gir cow is known for its milking prowess.
http://www.merinews.com/article/scientists-at-junagadh-agricultural-university-find-gold-in-urine-of-gir-cows/15917477.shtml

Read more at: http://www.merinews.com/article/scientists-at-junagadh-agricultural-university-find-gold-in-urine-of-gir-cows/15917477.shtml&cp

Gujarat's pride safe in Siddi woman's hands!

Highlights
Rozina Chotiyara is the first woman of the primitive Siddi tribe to join the forest department

• Being born and brought up in the Gir forest, lion protection was a natural career choice
• Rozina has also set an example for her community where most people work as farm labourers or do odd jobs

Rozina Chotiyara.

Vijaysinh Parmar | TNN | Jun 22, 2016, 08.55 AM IST

Talala (Gir-Somnath): It was 10pm and pitch dark all around. Twenty-seven-year old Rozina Chotiyara was alone in the midst of forest near Talala. Suddenly, she sensed some people moving around illegally in the area. After confirming the direction, Rozina followed them. However, one of them saw her and started running away. But they had failed to gauge her stamina. In no time, she chased and overpowered all four of them by midnight.

Don't mistake this to be some women's bravery story from a children's book. For, protecting Asiatic lions in their last abode is the daily job of Rozina, the first woman of the primitive Siddi tribe to join the forest department.

"I lost my chappals while chasing the offenders as the terrain is rough and uneven. But I caught two of them from their necks. They were fined Rs 30,000 for animal teasing," said Rozina, a native of Javantri village near Talala.

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Very good, Hats offEdwina Dsouza

A farmer's daughter, Rozina could have opted for a more comfortable job of a school teacher after completing her BA and B.Ed in 2010. But having being born and brought up in the Gir forest, lion protection was a natural career choice. "It is my passion and duty to serve Gir and its pride - the Asiatic lion," said Rozina, who is posted at Jepur beat of Ghansh round.

Rozina has also set an example for her community where most people work as farm labourers or do odd jobs. There are around 55,000 Siddis living in Junagadh district.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Gujarats-pride-safe-in-Siddi-womans-hands/articleshow/52861776.cms

Illegal safari earns the lion’s share of tourists at Gir

By Alok Brahmbhatt | Jun 19, 2016, 02.30 AM ISTForest officials in collusion with locals set up illegal 'lion shows' at Gujarat's Gir sanctuary for tourists, who shell out money to get the thrill of watching the big cats from close quarters

Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja courted controversy when he clicked selfies with lions on a safari with his wife and friends at Gir sanctuary this week. A probe has been ordered, while two range forest officers who were in one of the photographs now face action. But, what has continued unnoticed is forest officials joining hands with locals in Gir to set up illegal 'lion shows' for tourists.

As Khushboo Gujarat Ki spreads far and wide, the number of tourists visiting Gir sanctuary has touched record highs. The 14th Asiatic Lion Census 2015, conducted in May 2015, put the lion population at 523 (up 27 per cent from the previous census in 2010). This has peaked tourist curiosity. They want to be up close with the Asiatic lion. As many as 1.5 lakh tourists have visited Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary this year. With the monsoon set to hit Gujarat and the breeding season for lions set to begin, the sanctuary has been closed from June16 for four months.

Taking advantage of the huge number of tourists, some locals who are hand-in-glove with the forest officials gather the tourists at a set location through their guides. Lion trackers then goad the big cat out of the bushes and herd them to the location where the tourists have gathered for the 'show'. So, you have lions right in front of you to click photographs and add to your collection.

On one hand, the Asiatic lion has come into conflict with humans after its territory expanded to 22,000 sq-km across eight of the nine districts in Saurashtra, while on the other, illegal lion shows have become a regular affair inside the sanctuary to lure tourists and make quick bucks.

With a proper guide, jeep and driver, it gets easier for tourists to sight lions the way they wish. Three groups of trackers assigned by the forest department keep an eye on lion movements inside the forest area. These trackers know where lions are. They inform the guides, who collect the tourist jeeps at one place. Once the tourists assemble, the tracker goes into the bushes and, by making noises and using his stick, forces the lions out. Tourists get to see the king of the jungle from close quarters and are quick to photograph them.

Current bookings are fully online, but tourists need not worry. If a tourist misses booking online, he/she can approach a local around Sinh Sadan, where permits are issued. The local will take the tourist inside the park, show the lion and charge extra for managing the show.

Mirror had a firsthand experience of the safari last week. Tourist jeeps were asked to gather at a spot, and then, one of the three forest officials went inside the forest on his bike. Soon, a lioness and her cubs were seen coming out from the same direction; they sat next to the forest road, close to the jeeps.

Local activist Bhikubhai Batawala from Khambha confirmed the activity."I am aware of this. It may not be forest guards who facilitate such activities all the time. Like fake police, there are fake forest guards as well inside the sanctuary at times," he insisted. Principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) J A Khan seemed unaware of the issue. "I will check and take necessary action, if needed," Khan said.

According to environmental activist Vikram Trivedi, "It is not proper to force the lions out of the bushes with different sounds. It disturbs them and they get hostile with human beings. Not just the full-grown lions, even the cubs get hostile. Eventually human-animal conflict situations occur."

The lion is not an animal that moves from one place to another; it marks its territory. "When trackers push them from one place to other, they irritate the entire tribe," said Trivedi.

www.punemirror.in/news/india/Illegal-safari-earns-the-lions-share-of-tourists-at-Gir/articleshow/52812177.cms

Leopard rescued from Diu, sent back to Gujarat

The big cat took the bait and fell into the trap on Saturday morning, forest officials said.

By: Express News Service | Rajkot | Published:June 19, 2016 7:21 pm

The big cat took the bait and fell into the trap on Saturday morning, forest officials said. (Source: File photo) After trailing it for around two months, forest officers of union territory Diu finally managed to rescue a leopard from Malala village on the island on Saturday and sent it back to mainland Gujarat.
The rescue teams of Diu forest department and Sasan wildlife division in Gir forest of mainland Gujarat caught the leopard by placing a trap cage in a coconut orchard in Malala village near the Diu city. The big cat took the bait and fell into the trap on Saturday morning, forest officials said.
“Indirect evidence like pug-marks suggested that the leopard used to come to Diu city at night and go back to villages during the day. Based on this, we identified its corridor and a rescue team from Sasan placed a cage in the coconut orchard in Malala. The previous night, its pugmarks were observed near the cage but it didn’t take the bait. However, the rescuers became successful on Saturday,” range forest officer (RFO) of Diu, Kailash Gakewad said on Sunday.

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/leopard-rescued-from-diu-sent-back-to-gujarat/

3 leopards rescued from water canal

Ventuno • June 17, 2016Gujarat (Gir), June 17 (ANI): The forest officials rescued three leopards stuck in a water canal in a village near Gujarat’s Gir National Park. The mammals apparently wandered into the village in search of food and water. The student of a school located near the canal spotted the leopards and informed teachers. The school authorities then alerted the forest officials, who rushed to the spot with cages.