Zoological Society of London enters in Asiatic lion Conservation.

Himanshu Kaushik, TNN | Feb 26, 2015, 09.40PM IST

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Forest department has gone Smart. The department will use smart software which will be used for tracking the movement of their staff and even the lions. The software has been developed jointly by the Zoological Society of London and the Gujarat forest department.

The two ZSL and forest department have entered into memorandum of understanding for the protection of Asiatic lion and its habitat which was inked on Thursday. The forest officials said that the ZSL which has expertise in managing the zoo will provide its technical assistance to the state not only to manage its rescue and treatment centres but also to manage the Sakarbaugh Zoo. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest CN Pandey said that the ZSL has not only expertise in managing the zoos, but they also have managed Asiatic lions successfully for 40 years. The still have three lions.

Pandey said that apart from ZSL, Wildlife Institute of India will be knowledge partner with the forest department in conservation of lion.

ZSL will provide technical support in providing veterinary support. The officials said that the apart from the zoo expertise, the ZSL will provide expertise in managing the landscape and the habitat of the area and also training the staff in handling rescue.

"Gir has best rescue and treatment centres, but with the help of the ZSL, the department will be the one of the best rescue centre," said the officer.

It is worth mentioning that earlier in 2014, the first-ever fundraising gala was held by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). ZSL had launched the charity's new Lions400 fundraising campaign and raised over £135,000 towards helping to save the Asian lions.

The famous London landmark was transformed into an Asian-inspired wonderland for the night. The officials said that ZSL feels that the Asiatic lion are at crisis point as they survive in one isolated forest.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Zoological-Society-of-London-enters-in-Asiatic-lion-Conservation/articleshow/46386808.cms

48 illegal hospitality units sealed near Gir forest, 10 shut down.

Saturday, Feb 28, 2015

A PIL moved before the Gujarat High Court has alleged that these units are hindering movement of lions and other wild animals.

By: Express News Service | Rajkot | February 27, 2015 7:15 pm

Following directive of Gujarat High Court, the district administration of Gir Somnath sealed 48 unuthorised hospitality units located on the border of Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (GNPWS) in a two-day exercise that concluded on Friday. Meanwhile, officials of Junagadh districts also shut down 10 eateries which had been operating close to the sanctuary.
“We completed sealing of all the 48 unauthorised hotels, farm houses and resorts located near the sanctuary on Friday evening. We had sealed around 30 of these units on Thursday while the rest were sealed today,” Bhagwan Hirani sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Veraval in Gir Somnath district told The Indian Express.
The SDM said that the unauthorised hospitality units which they sealed were located in Bhojde, Chitrod, Borvav, Ankolvadi and Madhapar villages on the fringes of Gir forest. Gir forest and protected areas spread across Gir Somnath, Junagadh, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts in Saurasthra region of Gujarat are the only natural home of Asiatic lions in the world. The Asiatic lion has been put into category of an endangered species by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an international organisation working for conservation of environment and biodiversity, and there were only 411 lions according census, 2010. “Majority of these hospitality units were functioning without obtaining mandatory no-objection certificate from forest department. Besides they were constructed on agricultural land and also did not have licences from the district administration,” Hirani further said.
Officers also cut down electricity supply to the sealed units.
Sasan-Gir, another village on the border of the sanctuary and where office of the superintendent NGPWS is located, has turned into a hot tourist destination over the last five years. It has become famous for lion safaris after advertisement campaign of Gujarat tourism department. But the rush of the tourists has also led to cropping up of a number of unauthorised hospitality units in the villages near Sasan-Gir.
A public interest litigation (PIL) moved before the Gujarat High Court (HC) has alleged that these units are hindering movement of lions and other wild animals. Acting on this PIL, the HC had on February 10 directed state government to close all the unauthorised hotels and farm-houses by March 5.
While majority of these units are located in Gir Somnath district, officials in Junagadh also took action against some eateries. “There were 14 hospitality units under our scanner. Of them, four hotels are found to have valid licences and required clearances from forest department. But the rest 10 were functioning as roadside eateries or dhaba without any formal setup but also without any formal approval from authorities. Therefore, we have closed them down with the help of police,” Jayesh Mayatra, SDM of Mendarda division in Junagadh district said.

In response to the PIL, a few farmers also have moved the HC saying they should not be harassed and that their power connections should not be snapped. The HC has admitted their plea and has agreed to hear the matter further on March 5.
“We have not cut power supply given for agricultural purpose. We have snapped power supply to only unauthorised hospitality units functioning on agricultural land or in violation of tenure of land,” the Veraval SDM clarified.
Similar action was on against a few hospitality units in Amreli district also. Amreli has parts of the eastern border of Gir forest. Officers said they have been asked to submit action taken reports to additional advocate general Prakash Jani by March 3.

26 February 2015 Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on pinterest_share Share on linkedin More Sharing Services 5 Paragon Themes Major new Lion Exhibit at ZSL London ZSL London Zoo has announced a groundbreaking £5.2m exhibit for 2016. Land of the Lions will give visitors the chance to get right up-close to a breeding group of endangered Asiatic lions. Once widespread throughout Northern India and Pakistan, the species is now on the critical list with only about 400 remaining in the wild. Work has already started on the new exhibit, which has been designed with expert zookeepers and conservationists to give the Asiatic lions state-of-the-art facilities. It will be five times the size of the previous enclosure, covering more than 2,500sqm (27,000 sqft). Paragon Creative design ZSL's Land of the Lions exhibit Leading design and build company, Paragon Creative, will be working closely with ZSL and main contractor, Buxtons, to undertake the theming and rock work. Mark Pyrah, CEO of Paragon Creative, says, 'Paragon is thrilled to have been awarded this prestigious £0.533m contract. It’s a great niche piece of work for our in-house multi-disciplined team to undertake. Being able to make a real difference to the lives of these wonderful creatures, as well as educating and inspiring the millions of zoo visitors to help protect these iconic big cats from the very real threat of extinction, is a huge honour. We are proud to be a small part of the mission to save the Asiatic lion.' Visitors to Land of the Lions will embark on a captivating journey which celebrates the vibrant culture of the lions' native home. They will experience just how closely humans and lions live in the Gir Forest as they catch tantalising glimpses of the lions’ habitat throughout a bustling Indian ‘village'. Finally, they will reach the national park which has been inspired by the landscape of the Gir Forest. It is here, at the heart of the exhibit, that visitors will come face-to-face with the awe-inspiring big cats in the 360° lions’ den. Paragon Creative design ZSL's Land of the Lions exhibit Paragon Creative has been involved in over 1000 projects in more than 26 countries for attractions such as museums, heritage centres, aquariums, theme parks and FECs. They have worked on projects for clients as divesrse as the Hong Kong Wetland Park, Ice Age Movie Park, Bottrop and Imperial War Museum, London.

26 February 2015

ZSL London Zoo has announced a groundbreaking £5.2m exhibit for 2016. Land of the Lions will give visitors the chance to get right up-close to a breeding group of endangered Asiatic lions.

Once widespread throughout Northern India and Pakistan, the species is now on the critical list with only about 400 remaining in the wild. 
Work has already started on the new exhibit, which has been designed with expert zookeepers and conservationists to give the Asiatic lions state-of-the-art facilities. It will be five times the size of the previous enclosure, covering more than 2,500sqm (27,000 sqft). 

Leading design and build company, Paragon Creative, will be working closely with ZSL and main contractor, Buxtons, to undertake the theming and rock work. 
Mark Pyrah, CEO of Paragon Creative, says, 'Paragon is thrilled to have been awarded this prestigious £0.533m contract. It’s a great niche piece of work for our in-house multi-disciplined team to undertake.  Being able to make a real difference to the lives of these wonderful creatures, as well as educating and inspiring the millions of zoo visitors to help protect these iconic big cats from the very real threat of extinction, is a huge honour.  We are proud to be a small part of the mission to save the Asiatic lion.'
Visitors to Land of the Lions will embark on a captivating journey which celebrates the vibrant culture of the lions' native home. They will experience just how closely humans and lions live in the Gir Forest as they catch tantalising glimpses of the lions’ habitat throughout a bustling Indian ‘village'. Finally, they will reach the national park which has been inspired by the landscape of the Gir Forest. It is here, at the heart of the exhibit, that visitors will come face-to-face with the awe-inspiring big cats in the 360° lions’ den. 

Paragon Creative has been involved in over 1000 projects in more than 26 countries for attractions such as museums, heritage centres, aquariums, theme parks and FECs. They have worked on projects for clients as divesrse as the Hong Kong Wetland Park, Ice Age Movie Park, Bottrop and Imperial War Museum, London.

http://www.blooloop.com/news/paragon-creative-zsl-london-land-of-the-lions/32515#.VPHEhy7wulI

Gujarat soughts Centre’s nod for Rs 150-crore lion conservation plan.

 By Kapil Dave, | 24 Feb, 2015, 03.00AM IST

The state government has also demanded wildlife and environment clearance for Ambaradi Lion Safari Park in Amreli district.

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat government has sought approval from the Centre for its Rs 150-crore Lion Conservation Plan. Not only that, it has demanded that the central government bear the lion's share — Rs 135 crore — of the total project cost.

The state government has also demanded wildlife and environment clearance for Ambaradi Lion Safari Park in Amreli district; financial assistance for developing the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary; and immediate approval for 12 Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ).

PK Taneja, additional chief secretary, state forest and environment department, said that they have re-submitted to the Union ministry of environment forests and climate change, their proposal for 'Long-term Conservation of the Asiatic Lion'. Financially assistance for the lion conservation plan has been sought under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat (IDWH) scheme of the Centre.

"The demand is among those of Gujarat pending with the Union government. I have personally raised this and other issues with the secretary of Union forests ministry and got a positive response,'' said Taneja. The long-term conservation plan includes protection and conservation of lion habitat, eco-development, training, strengthening of communication, modern equipment, recruitments, and water and food facility for the Asiatic lions.

The three-year project was proposed on the basis of 90:10 sharing of cost, i.e. 90% of the project cost would be borne by the centre while the remaining 10% will be borne by the state government.

Four to five lakh tourists visit Sasan Gir every year.

State pushes for Ambardi Safari Park

Like the Devaliya Safari Park which was created to take off some of the tourist pressure from Sasan Gir, another Asiatic lion safari park is being built at Ambardi in Amreli district to further reduce the pressure of tourism. The Gujarat forest department had applied for permission to the Central Zoo Authority which granted in principal approval on May 21, 2008 with some conditions but final approval is yet to be granted. In its latest submission, the Gujarat government has requested approval at the earliest.



Approval sought for 12 Eco-Sensitive Zones

The state government had submitted various proposals for declaring Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) around sanctuaries and national parks. Out of these, 12 are awaiting approval from the Union ministry of environment and forests. These proposals are for the following parks and sanctuaries:



1 Thol Sanctuary

2 Balaram-Ambaji Sanctuary

3 Barda Sanctuary

4 Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary

5 Velavadar National Park

6 Gaga Sanctuary

7 Khijadiya Sanctuary

8 Jessor Sanctuary

9 Porbandar Bird Sanctuary

10 Rampara Sanctuary

11 Hingolgadh Sanctuary

12 Nalsarovar Sanctuary

Plan to save Great Indian Bustard

The Great Indian Bustard, a magnificent bird of the grasslands, is close to extinction in the country. About 200 birds are left in the whole country out of which 48 are estimated to be in Gujarat. A rescue plan — it includes the establishment of a National Level Conservation Breeding Centre for Great Indian Bustards in Kutch — was submitted to Union forests ministry in May 2014 by the state government. This species recovery plan for Great Indian Bustard has been prepared for a period of 10 years with a total estimated project cost of Rs.187.13 crore.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/environment/flora-fauna/gujarat-soughts-centres-nod-for-rs-150-crore-lion-conservation-plan/articleshow/46349558.cms

Government begins survey to identify unauthorised hotels near Gir sanctuary.

Written by Gopal B Kateshiya | Rajkot | February 22, 2015 3:35 am

Acting on the orders of Gujarat High Court, officials of Junagadh, Gir-Somnath and Amreli districts in Saurashtra region have started surveying hotels and farmhouses located on the fringes of Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, the only natural home in the world for endangered Asiatic lions.
“The sub-divisional magistrate of Mendarda is conducting a survey of hotels near the Gir sanctuary with the help of local mamlatdar, taluka panchayat officers, district panchayat officers, forest officers and officers from Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL). The officers are verifying if the hotels or resorts have licence, if they have been constructed on non-agricultural land, if a hotel is using a power generator set of more than 100 kilowatt, has got the permission from the PGVCL etc,” Sanjay Modi, resident additional collector (RAC) of Junagadh, told The Sunday Express.
The RAC said he did not have any idea as to how may hotels, resorts and farmhouses were under the scanner. But sources claimed more 30 such establishments were being surveyed.

Related

• 48 illegal hospitality units sealed near Gir forest, 10 shut down
• Fight over lion fans stir in Gir Somnath
• Gir braces for a lion’s share of tourists,hotels on a leash

Similarly, officers in Gir-Somnath district have issued notices to 48 hotels and resorts. “Forest department had provided us the list of 48 hotels which are functioning close to the sanctuary area. We have issued them notices and sought their response latest by February 23. We have asked them to provide documents related to their hotels and similar establishments,” Gir-Somnath collector Chandubhai Patel said.
Patel added that majority of the hotels were located near Sasan Gir, a village on the border of the sanctuary from where the forest department issues permissions for lion safaris.
On the other hand, similar survey is going on in Dhari taluka of Amreli district also which is located on the eastern tip of the Gir sanctuary. “There are not many hotels on the borders of Gir sanctuary in Amreli district as there is not any tourist circuit in this part of the sanctuary. But we have come to know that a couple of hotels are there. We are surveying them and will take suitable action,” said Amreli district collector Ajay Kumar.
Junagadh RAC said that after going through records, they will start issuing closure notices to unauthorised hotels and farmhouses from February 25 onward.
Acting on a public interest litigation, the High Court had on February 10 directed the state government to close all the unauthorised hotels and resorts functioning in buffer zone by March 5. According to existing forest laws, area extending up to two kilometre from the border of a sanctuary is classified as buffer zone.
Gir forest is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lions. After Khushboo Gujarat Ki ad campaign of Gujarat tourism department, record number of tourist footfall has been registered at Sasan Gir and nearby Devaliya Gir Interpretation Zone in the last five years. But the increased tourist flow has also led to mushrooming of unauthorised farmhouses and resorts, forest officers say.

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/government-begins-survey-to-identify-unauthorised-hotels-near-gir-sanctuary/

Govt not keen to reintroduce Gir lions in Madhya Pradesh.

The need for relocation of Gir lions was felt because environmentalists and wildlife conservations feared that an epidemic or natural calamity could wipe out the species. Photo: AFP

Mayank Aggarwal

Environment ministry may not push for relocation of Gir lions given Modi’s previous opposition to it

New Delhi: The endangered Asiatic Lion, currently restricted to one population in Gujarat’s Gir reserve, may not be reintroduced in Madhya Pradesh, part of its original range in the country, and where it was last recorded in the 19th century, because the ministry of environment and forests is not keen on doing so.

The over-two decade old plan has acquired political overtones in recent years with Prime Minister Narendra Modi making it a matter of Gujarati pride when he was chief minister of the state.

The plan to relocate some of the lions was cleared by the Supreme Court in April 2013.

The court asked the Union environment ministry to relocate some of the lions to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno reserve by October 2013.

The court formed a panel that included officials from the ministry, the two states and independent wildlife experts. By October 2013, the panel had come up with a plan but the process got stuck again with the Gujarat government appealing the apex court’s order. The court rejected the appeal in August 2014.

Last week, the environment ministry finally called a meeting of the expert committee.

A senior member of the committee said the meeting essentially took stock of the progress.

“We don’t see any great movement happening on the ground on the project soon,” the member said. “The issue will probably go back to the Supreme Court once again. Things are not positive or inspiring at all. It is more a political issue than a conservation issue,” said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity.

S.C. Pant, who is Gujarat’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), declined comment.

Environment ministry officials say the expert committee has been asked to “revise the action plan” within a month.

They add that officials of the Madhya Pradesh government who attended the meeting said there was now adequate prey for the lions at Kuno —one of the reasons ostensibly cited by Gujarat to support its opposition to the relocation.

The Madhya Pradesh government has already spent over Rs.60 crore on development of the Kuno sanctuary and relocation of villagers.

In a recent interview, minister of environment and forests Prakash Javadekar declined to comment on the progress of the relocation exercise and claimed the matter was still before the court.

A second member of the expert group, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said he doesn’t think the ministry will push for the relocation given Modi’s previous opposition to it.

The need for relocation was felt because environmentalists and wildlife conservations feared that an epidemic or natural calamity could wipe out the species.

The plan involved relocation of 80 lions to Kuno.

Gir has around 411 lions, according to the most recent census conducted in 2010. Instances of lions straying out of the reserve have increased in recent years as the population rose.

Newquay Zoo has three lions for the first time after arrival of siblings Boss and Semira.

By CGMikeS  |  Posted: February 16, 2015

• 
  Boss
• 
  CHILLING: Boss and Semira have arrived at Newquay Zoo

NEWQUAY Zoo now houses three lions for the first time, following the arrival of two new cats last week.
Male lion Boss and lioness Semira were brought in from Longleat Safari and Adventure Park and have been reunited with their sister Amahle.
Amahle arrived at the zoo from Longleat last year after male lion Samson’s companion Connie died in July at the age of 18.
But after Samson and Amahle failed to bond, Samson was successfully rehomed at Dartmoor Zoological Park in December.
When Boss was chosen as Amahle’s new male companion it was then discovered that he was living with his other sister, Semira, and zookeepers made the decision to reunite the cats as a family.
This is the first time Newquay Zoo has ever housed three lions, and the three have bonded well as a pride.
“Sisters Semira and Amahle have become inseparable,” animal collections manager John Meek said. “The three cats would be much happier back as a family unit, both for their health and happiness, and the decision was taken purely and solely for the lion’s welfare. It was a really emotional moment for all of us to see the family reunited and now they are all settled in, and relaxed. Further updates on their progress will follow over the coming months.”
It is thought that there are less than 30,000 African lions left in the wild. In India the cats are endangered, with less than 400 wild Asiatic lions roaming the Gir Forest National Park.

Read more: http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Newquay-Zoo-lions-time-arrival-siblings-Boss/story-26034279-detail/story.html#ixzz3T2utGwci
Follow us: @cornishguardian on Twitter | cornishguardian on Facebook

Chhabtir roars and chirps.

Manveer Saini, TNN | Feb 17, 2015, 04.07AM IST
CHANDIGARH: A seven-year-old Asiatic lion, a pair of leopards, white peacocks, white spoonbill birds, long-legged wading birds and two pairs of white Ibis have joined Chhatbir zoological park from Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagarh, Gujarat,

Manish Kumar, field director, Chhatbir zoo, said Yuvraj, the lion, has been quarantined for a month and would be released in the zoo safari. Yuvraj's arrival comes five months after the death of Abhay, an Asiatic lion that Chhatbir zoo had procured on a breeding loan from New Delhi. Yuvraj would be introduced to lioness Heli, who last year had given birth to four cubs. His arrival has pushed the number of lions to eight, which includes the aged Rocky. It was the birth of four cubs that apparently helped the zoo break the Central Zoo Authority of India regulation on the transfer of lions.

"The authority had stopped the exchange for the time being. We then had a population of cross-breds of African and Asiatic lions. This was long ago. Now, our zoo is among those running breeding programmes. Since we had been able to take the cubs from Heli after treatment, it made us easy to secure Yuvraj. Else, it is very difficult to get a pure Asiatic lion for breeding purposes,'' said Kumar. "Though leopards and Asiatic lions are our main animals, the addition of white peacock and white spoonbill will add variety. We had a pair of white peacocks a long time back but it is for the first time when visitors will see a white Ibis," he added.

Gujarat Big Cat's Roar to Get Louder as Modi Pitches for Project Lion in Budget.

By Richa Sharma

Published: 16th February 2015 06:00 AM

Last Updated: 16th February 2015 08:43 AM

NEW DELHI:The Asiatic lion’s roar will soon get louder. On the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is preparing to launch Project Lion on the lines of Project Tiger for the conservation of the jungle king. Financial support will be sought in the budget for the purpose.
Modi has taken up the task to kick-start the efforts through proposed Central funding. A concrete plan for the conservation of the lion that exists only in Gir Forest in Junagadh, Gujarat, across Asia has been demanded by conservationists for long. The last lion census by the Gujarat government in 2010 pegs their numbers at 411.

A note signed by S Kannan, economic advisor, MoEF, has been circulated to the divisional head of the wildlife department in the Ministry of Environment and Forests to come up with ideas for Project Lion, to be included in the detailed plan. According to a senior MoEF official, Project Lion is a priority.“Conservation efforts are needed as lions are under threat and history shows that an epidemic in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania in 1994 wiped off all the lions in a few days. This can occur in Gujarat as high inbreeding and low genetic diversity could make them susceptible to epidemics, thereby threatening their existence,” said the official.
The Asiatic lion was added to the list of critically endangered species in 2000 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) but was taken off in 2005 after their numbers increased to over 250.
However, the Supreme Court, based on a petition in 2013, has asked the MoEF to move 80 lions to Madhya Pradesh from Gujarat but nothing much seems to have moved so far with Gujarat unwilling to part with the lions known as the pride of the State.
A meeting of the expert committee on lion translocation constituted following the Supreme Court order was held on February 11, after almost 10 months, under the chairmanship of Vinod Ranjan, additional director general (ADG) Wildlife (MoEF) to take stock of the progress of the project. The 12-member committee has been asked to submit its views within a month.
“While the lion translocation project is moving at a slow pace with details still being worked out between Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, the conservation efforts need to pick up. The Centre has now taken up the task to protect the lion through proposed Central funding for conservation, which will complement funds allocated by the Gujarat government,” said the official.

Act against illegal hotels around Gir sanctuary: High Court to Guj govt.

PTI [ Updated 11 Feb 2015, 18:17:32
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has directed the state government to take action against the illegal establishments operating in the buffer zones of Gir wildlife sanctuary, the sole home of the Asiatic lions.  Admitting a representation made by one Anil Chudasama as a PIL, a division bench of Justices Jayant Patel and S H Vora yesterday directed the state authorities to take necessary legal action by March 5 against 128 such establishments that are being operated illegally in the 2-km buffer zone around the Gir sanctuary.
The High Court acted on a report of the Gujarat government which said that there are 128 such units, including hotels and resorts, that are being illegally run around the sanctuary.
Additional Advocate General P K Jani submitted before the bench that the state will take action against the encroachers in Gir. The conservator of Gir forest has intimated
Gir-Somnath district Collector’s office regarding the illegal establishments, Jani said before the High Court.
The state forests and environment department had on February 2 submitted a report before the High Court containing a list of 66 private establishments around the sanctuary, saying that the owners are running these hospitality units in the form of restaurants, hotels and resorts, which is prohibited.
The state government had yesterday filed another report before the HC and said that there are 128 establishments spread over the three districts of Amreli, Junagadh and Gir-Somnath.
The High Court acted on the PIL based on the representation of Chudasama, who alleged that the local authorities had prevented him from carrying out agricultural activity on a plot purchased by him.
He said he later found that the plot was originally allotted to the forest dwellers for their settlement outside the Gir sanctuary, but some of them had sold the land and gone back to the forest.
He said that there was illegal sale of land around the Gir sanctuary, which was prohibited under the law.

Gujarat High Court asks illegal hotels in Gir National Park to halt activities.

Darshan Desai   |   Mail Today  | 
 Ahmedabad, February 12, 2015 |  MAIL TODAY had reported about proliferation of illegal hotels, farm houses and guest houses in and around the Gir National Park. Within 48 hours after that report was published, the Gujarat High Court has directed the state government to halt all activities there if the property owners did not submit mandatory permissions within three days.
It all began with an anonymous letter to the high court alleging existence of illegal hotels and guest houses in and around the lion sanctuary, and informing that the Gujarat government's plan to develop a tourism zone touching the buffer zone of the protected forest areas in Amreli district could further disturb the lion corridor.Gir National Park
The court converted the letter last week into a suo motu petition and the state government had to accept through an affidavit that 66 illegal structures were operating in Gir-Somnath, Junagadh and Amreli districts.

 

 

This was followed by a spot investigative report by MAIL TODAY. Revenue and forest department teams immediately launched a survey on Sunday, the day the report appeared in this newspaper.

Gir National Park A division bench of the high court comprising Justice Jayant Patel and Justice S.H. Vora on Tuesday ordered that an, "Officer not below the rank of deputy collector shall inquire whether permission is granted for running hotel, farm houses and other hospitality units. If the units fail to furnish the permission within three days, prohibitory order shall be passed for discontinuing their use." Such hotels have, however, been allowed to move out their belongings and could challenge the high court orders.
The court has directed that it will be the responsibility of the local panchayat and the superintendent of police of the respective region to ensure that the prohibitory orders are complied with.
An "on-site panchnama" would be prepared by the tehsildar of the respective area under the supervision of an officer not below the rank of deputy collector. The bench has also issued directions to place the panchnama report before the court by March 5.Gir National Park
To ensure that the matter is dealt with all seriousness, the high court also included the chief conservator of forest, Sardar Baug, Junagadh, as well as the district collectors and district development officers of Gir-Somnath, Junagadh and Amreli as respondents in the case. The next hearing has been scheduled for March 5.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lions-gir-national-park-hotels-stop/1/418406.html

Bonding period raises hope of rise in lion population at Etawah safari.

Faiz Rahman Siddiqui, TNN | Feb 11, 2015, 03.35AM IST
KANPUR: The encouraging signs of the first 'bonding period', among the three pairs of Asiatic Lion (Panthera Leo Persica) has made Etawah Lion Safari officials hopeful of further increase in the population in coming days. They are hopeful that second mating session would lead to off springs in July.

In fact, officials have been trying to create atmosphere conducive to mating of three pairs of Asiatic Lions— Manan and Kumari, Kuber and Greeshma, and Heer and Gigo.

"Kumari, Greeshma and Gigo were shifted from their quarantine for five days each in January for a bonding period with their male counterparts Manan, Kuber and Heer. However, as it was their first attempt, it didn't yield much result. Now if all goes well, another attempt will be made soon so that they become partners for life," said senior veterinary officer Dr Kuldeep Dwivedi.
About Manan and Kumari, "We could tell both liked each other as they came near each other for nearly 30 times, but somehow they didn't mate," said another Lion Safari official.

Kuber and Greeshma showed some breeding behaviors but they too didn't bond. "Greeshma was a little nervous. Both moved into the breeding area as that was new to them, but didn't mate," he said.

Heer and Gigo maintained a distance of nearly 100 metres and didn't exhibit any positive sign of bonding, he added further.

Once bonded, the female will take 110 days to reproduce an offspring. The Lion Safari authorities also exude confidence about the second mating session and said they hope that if all goes well, the population of big cat would grow by July. "If Kumari, Greeshma and Gigo gets pregnant, then we expect them to give birth to cubs in July," said a Lion Safari official further.

The Lion Safari authorities have installed CCTV cameras in the breeding area to monitor the behavioural signs of three pairs of Asiatic Lions.

The Closed-Circuit Television Camera footages were being utilized for carrying out observations on the Asiatic Lions. "The breeding centre is equipped with CCTV cameras to study animal behaviour. The CCTV is a good tool to observe pair in the breeding area without disturbing them," said another officer further while talking to TOI.

Listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) was once widely distributed across southwest Asia.

Pride in danger: World's last refuge for the Asiatic lion is under threat. Gujarat must act now.

By Darshan Desai

Published: 23:40 GMT, 7 February 2015 | Updated: 23:40 GMT, 7 February 2015

Did the Gujarat government put the lives of its lions at stake by relocating the Maldharis, the traditional cattle-herders who lived in proximity to the Gir forest, in the name of protecting the region for the illustrious big cats? 

At least the state forest department seems to believe so. 

According to a senior forest officer who did not want to be named, the lions of Gir will not survive without the Maldharis.

“Both are essential and intrinsic to the forest ecosystem,” says the officer. 

+6

A pride of lions relaxing at Sasan-Gir, Gujarat. The state forest department seems to believe relocating the Maldharis has put the lives of the lions at stake

SURVIVAL AT STAKE 

Being cattle-herders, the animals which the Maldharis reared also acted as a source of food for the lions. 

And since the community received adequate compensation from the state government for the lost livestock, the arrangement worked quite well for both the herder and the predator. 

This changed once the government started moving out the families from the sanctuary in the name of conservation. 

As many as 580 out of the total 845 families co-existing with the carnivores were shifted in the first round itself. 

+6

The big cats have strayed into the neighbouring villages in the Saurashtra region desperately looking for prey (pictured: a body of a lion knocked down by a speeding train)

The process continued over the years and now there are just 300 families left. 

This has forced the big cats to stray into the neighbouring villages in the Saurashtra region desperately looking for prey. 

However, the dwindling number of Maldharis is not the only cause of concern for the lions. 

Earlier this week the state forest department revealed that as many as 66 hotels and guesthouses have come up either within the buffer zone of the sanctuary or just bordering it, throwing all norms to the winds and thus creating hurdles in the sensitive lion corridor. 

Shockingly, the government has started a “paying guest” facility to local farmers who could offer six rooms to tourists. 

+6

The sanctuary and its buffer zone are now peppered with hoardings and signboards of hotels and guesthouses soliciting tourists 

SIEGE WITHIN

The so-called hospitality units have come up in the sanctuary’s buffer zone in Junagadh, Amreli and Gir-Somnath districts. 

The department which revealed the illegal activities, however, did not specify, in its affidavit before the high court, what actions it would take against such illegal dwellings. 

The sanctuary and its buffer zone are now peppered with hoardings and signboards of hotels and guesthouses soliciting tourists. 

It is estimated that within a six-km radius of Sasan-Gir forest there are nearly 100 hotels and guesthouses.

+6

Tourists passing time at one of the several illegal resorts that have mushroomed near the Gir forest in the last few years

According to sources in the state forest department, a tourist resort run by a renowned hotel group in the area would now need to obtain a clearance from the Union Environment Ministry since its lease has expired. 

The trauma of the lions, however, does not end here. 

As many as 14 lions were killed in accidents alone last year due to transportation and mining-related activities taking place within the forest. 

Apart from a railway line, as many as five state highways traverse through the forest, carrying a growing number of tourists whose number last year was 4.25 lakh. 

Besides all this, there are three big temples with 23 shrines, which are also a big draw for the tourists and pilgrims. 

Meanwhile, the lion population in the state has been rising steadily since 1968 when the numbers where less than 200 to the current 441, highlighting an urgent need for relocation.

+6

RAPID FIRE

DR RAVI CHELLAM,

ENVIRONMENTALIST & EXPERT ON ASIATIC LIONS

'Lions have thrived in this region and their population has increased,' said Dr Ravi Chellam

■ THERE IS ALREADY SO MUCH HUMAN OCCUPATION IN AND AROUND GIR AND NOW THE STATE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO DEVELOP TOURISM ALONG THE FOREST IN AMRELI DISTRICT. WHAT’S YOUR VIEW?

I think we need to give credit to the government of Gujarat, the people living in and around Gir, and of course the Nawab of Junagadh for protecting the forest. We owe them and many more a very sincere thank you for having protected and ensured the survival of the Asiatic lions in and around Gir. But the issue today is: can the management be improved? Obviously, it can be. Lions have thrived in this region and their population has increased. The big problem is the protection of the habitat both within the sanctuary as well as in the surrounding landscapes. Fairly rapid change in land-use and the building of highways and other infrastructural projects, including fences and walls, are all fragmenting, degrading and destroying wildlife habitats. 

■ WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE NEED OF THE HOUR? 

The big conservation action that has not been taken so far is to comply with the Supreme Court judgment regarding the translocation of lions to establish a second free-ranging population of lions. This is an urgent and necessary issue. 

+6

A traditional cattle-herder who lives near the Gir forest. 'For me, the relocation of Maldharis when undertaken (first) in the 1970s was a well-intentioned move but was poorly implemented,' said Dr Chellam

■ MALDHARIS (CATTLEBREEDERS) AND LIONS HAVE CO-EXISTED FOR AGES IN GIR. DO YOU THINK IT WAS A RIGHT MOVE MANY YEARS AGO TO SHIFT THE MALDHARIS OUT OF THE FORESTS IN THE NAME OF PRESERVATION? 

I do not think there is any connection between the relocation and resettlement of Maldharis and the movement and presence of lions outside the Protected Area. Lions have historically existed over much of western, northern and central India. We need to separate the two issues. For me, the relocation of Maldharis when undertaken (first) in the 1970s was a well-intentioned move but was poorly implemented. 

■ WHAT ABOUT NOW? 

I feel there is no reason to relocate them. In fact, the Forest Rights Act gives them a lot of rights and any resettlement has to be done voluntarily with prior and informed consent of those aimed to be resettled. Large cats are territorial and as population density builds up the young and the old (especially males) will be forced to disperse outside their territories. Since all territories within the Protected Area are occupied, the only free space available is outside and hence the presence of lions outside. Lions in Saurashtra are lucky in that way as they have access to some wild prey and a lot of domestic prey to survive and thrive outside the sanctuary.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2944096/Pride-danger-World-s-refuge-Asiatic-lion-threat-Gujarat-act-now.html

Gujrat government assures action against illegal hospitality industry around Gir.

By Saeed Khan, TNN | 4 Feb, 2015, 01.14PM IST

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat government has assured Gujarat high court that it is pondering action against the hospitality units operating illegally around Gir sancturary, which is the last abode of the Asiatic lions.

In response to a query by the HC, the forest department has placed a list of 66 private establishments around Gir sanctuary and said that owners illegally use them as hospitality units in form of restaurants, hotels and resorts. "It has come to the notice of the forest department that certain hospitality units have started under the garb of commercial and residential establishment adjoining Gir sanctuary and the department is looking into the issue in order to protect the interest of lions," the affidavit reads.

It further stated that the authorities are working in the direction to end the illegalities in this buffer zone, where it has identified 66 properties where hospitality units are operated in violation of norms in Junagadh, Amreli and Gir-Somnath districts. The government has also pointed out that the resort operated by a renowned hotel group will soon have to obtain Centre's permission and its lease has expired.

The government has cited its resolutions which were passed on June 25, 2009 and February 8, 2010. By these resolutions it prohibited construction and operation of hospitality units in the regulated zone and maintained that those hospitality units that operate with legal permit are operated under strict terms and conditions.

Earlier also, the high court had asked the government to curb illegal construction in the buffer zone of the protected area. This was in connection with a petition filed by one Anil Chudasama, who claimed that the authorities were not permitting him to carry out agriculture activity in his land, which was allegedly purchased by previous owners from the pastoralists that were rehabilitated as part of evacuation of the Gir sanctuary. However, these pastoralists sold the allocated plots and went back to the forest.

New tourism zone will not choke lion corridor: government to HC.

By Saeed Khan, TNN | 4 Feb, 2015, 01.16PM IST

AHMEDABAD: The state government has informed Gujarat high court that the proposed new eco-tourism zone on the coastal region in Amreli district, in the outskirt of Gir sanctuary in the last abode of Asiatic lions, will not affect the wild cat.

The government has said that since lions' movement take place during night time and tourism activity will be restricted during the day time, there is no likelihood that the lion corridor would be choked.

By taking suo motu cognizance of an anonymous letter taking exception to development and construction in and around the forest area, the HC had sought reply from the authorities regarding its proposed tourism zone outside the Gir National Park. The state forest and environment department has stated that since tourism activity will take place in restricted manner during day time, and "movement of animals especially lions take place generally from sunset to sunrise".

The government has cited example of Sasan Gir sanctuary, where tourists flow has increased from 1,30,285 in 2006 to 4,58,585 in 2013-14. The tourists rush has not choked the lion corridor in Sasan Gir, and development of this new eco-tourism zone will only reduce the burden from this area.

The government has also stated that the development of new eco-tourism zone in Jasadhar, Chikalkuda and Khothariya villages will provide employment opportunities to forest dwellers. It will also create awareness among general and religious tourists in this region about environment. With this, it has provided the status of interpretation centre for lions etc in this area. It also maintained that no tourism activity has been started yet in this zone.

The government has also stated that the eco-tourism plan is for the year 2012-2022 and it has been approved by the chief wildlife warden as per the provisions of law. The affidavit further said that tourism activity is permissible as per the law in this extended area of forest because this is not a prohibited zone. Moreover, there was no requirement to conduct an impact assessment on environment and reasserted.

Gujarat High Court acts to protect home of India's Asiatic lions Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2938575/Gujarat-High-Court-acts-protect-home-India-s-Asiatic-lions.html#ixzz3T2oQsAHW Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook.

By Darshan Desai

Published: 00:16 GMT, 4 February 2015 | Updated: 00:16 GMT, 4 February 2015

Environmentalists and wildlife activists have been alleging for years that illegal commercial properties mushrooming around the Gir sanctuary are posing a threat to the only home of Asiatic lions in India, but the state government ignored them - till an anonymous letter informed the Gujarat High Court.

Taking a proactive approach, the HC on Monday converted the letter into a suo motu petition and ordered the State Environment and Forests Department to submit a detailed affidavit on the status. 

The affidavit, the content of which was available on Tuesday, has a list of 66 commercial and residential establishments around the buffer zone of the lion sanctuary. 

An anonymous letter to the High Court alleged that commercial establishments are posing a threat to lions in Gir (file picture).

The state affidavit says: “It has come to the notice of the forest department that certain hospitality units have been set up under the garb of commercial and residential establishment adjoining (the) Gir sanctuary and the department is looking into the issue in order to protect the interest of lions.” 

The government submission before the high court said 66 properties in the sanctuary’s buffer zone in Junagadh, Amreli and Gir-Somnath districts were illegal and operated in complete violation of the existing norms. 

The forest department also admitted that a tourist resort being run by a renowned hotel group in the area would now need to obtain a clearance from the Ministry of Environment, since its lease had already expired. 

No forest official was willing to comment on the entire issue, pointing out that the matter was now sub-judice and all explanations would be given to the court. 

The HC has also taken serious cognisance of the contention in the anonymous letter, which pointed out the Gujarat Government’s ambitious plan to develop a new eco-tourism zone in the coastal region in Amreli district on the outskirts of the Gir sanctuary. 

To the explanation sought by the high court about this eco-tourism plan, the State Environment and Forests Department has claimed that the move would not choke the lion corridor. 

It has argued that the lion movement was usually noticed between sunset and sunrise while tourists visit the area during the day time. 

The government has buttressed its contention by pointing out that the number of tourists in the sanctuary had risen from 1.30 lakh in 2006 to over 4.58 lakh in 2013-14, but this had not disturbed the lion corridor.

Gir tourism zone won't interfere with lion movement: Gujarat govt.

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court was today informed by the state government that its plan to set up an eco-tourism zone on the outskirts of Gir Asiatic Lions Sanctuary in Amreli district will not affect the movement of lions.

In an affidavit filed before the bench of acting Chief Justice V M Sahai and Justice R P Dohalaria, the state forest department said that lions generally move during the night, and the tourists would be visiting only in the daytime.
"Movement of animals, especially the lions, takes place generally from sunset to sunrise," it said.
Last September, the high court took up the issue suo motu as a PIL and sought clarification on the tourism plans.
The affidavit also said that though the tourist footfall in Gir increased from 1,30,285 in 2006 to 4,58,585 in 2013-14, it did not affect the corridors through which the lions move.
The new eco-tourism zone will only reduce the burden on Sasan Gir area, it added.
The new zone in Jasadhar, Chikalkuda and Khothariya villages will provide employment opportunities to those living in the forest area, it said.
The plan has been approved by the chief wildlife warden according to the provisions of law and tourism activity is permissible in this extended area of forest, which is not a prohibited zone, the government further said.

PTI

First Published: Monday, February 2, 2015 - 23:41
 

http://zeenews.india.com/news/sci-tech/gir-tourism-zone-wont-interfere-with-lion-movement-gujarat-govt_1540485.html