TNN | Mar 27, 2018, 06:22 ISTAHMEDABAD : The Gujarat high court
on Monday sought a reply from the Centre and the state government on
the issue of unnatural deaths of Asiatic lions in and around the Gir
sanctuary. A bench of Chief Justice R S Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi filed a public interest litigation (PIL) suo motu in response to a letter written to them by Justice A S Dave,
who expressed concern over the endangered species by citing news
reports on lions’ unnatural deaths as revealed in the state assembly
recently. The state government had said that 184 lions had died over the
past two years and many deaths were due to unnatural causes.
During the hearing, the judges said
that lions’ unnatural deaths is a really serious issue and the
governments must not take it lightly. The court said the governments
should not treat the PIL as adversarial, for it is aimed to protect a
rare species of animals which is found only in Gujarat. The state is
proud of this and the government should make all endeavours to protect
the animals so that the treasure can be cherished, the court said.
According to the high court’s
advocate, Hemang Shah, the PIL has made various prayers in order to
avoid unnatural and accidental deaths of lions. The first demand is to
close three main roads, passing through the sanctuary, at night. Railway
tracks criss-crossing the forests too are a major concern.
The railways’ proposal to erect a
grill along the track is not a viable option, for it would only block
lions’ natural corridor. Hence there should be a device installed in
locomotives to detect the presence of the beasts
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/take-lion-deaths-seriously-hc-to-centre/articleshow/63474298.cms
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