RAJKOT: Asiatic lions have caused a major scare near Madhavpur, one of the sought-after beaches of Gujarat, barely 60 km from Porbandar.
On Sunday morning, a lion, believed to be around 5-7 years old, preyed on a green sea turtle that had come to lay eggs on the sea shore of Madhavpur. Madhavpur is an import turtle breeding and conservation centre.While the incident happened some eight km from the actual beach, wildlife experts and forest department officials said chances are strong that the lions could come well close to Porbandar.
TimesView
The expanding lion’s population is a wake up call for the forest department to carefully monitoring their movement as it’s a challenge to provide them passage through the towns and human habitats. The forest department is already engaged in lion conservation, but the second step is to make a long-term plan to ensure landscape management to accommodate expanding lion population.
Interestingly, forest officials said that the lion crossed the coastal Mangrol town to reach this beach. The lion was sighted somewhere between Madhavpur and Antroli in reserve forest area.
Talking to TOI, deputy conservator of forest, Porbandar, DJ Pandya said, “A pride of lions has made a permanent home along Mangrol and Veraval coast. We believe that this lion has came here after crossing the urban habitation in Mangrol town. It has likely walked nearly 25 km to reach this spot.”
Priyvrat Gadhvi, a member of state wildlife board, said, “This is the fall-out of expanding lion population. In the last five years, increasing number of lions are venturing near human habitations. First it was only farms, but now they have also started crossing town.”
“It’s only a matter of time that lions may soon identify dogs are their potential prey,” he added.
According to experts, lions might be exploring a new territory or merely searching for prey.
Chief conservator of forest (wildlife circle) DT Vasavada said, “This is the second time in the last six months that lions have ventured in this area. We are tracking their movement and activity to a
The Madhavpur beach, 60 km from Porbandar, is extremely popular among tourists, mainly because of its mythological importance. It’s believed that Lord Krishna married Rukmani here. The local Mer community members also organize a fair every year to celebrate this marriage. scertain if the pride wants to make this a new habitat.”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/lion-scare-on-beach-near-porbandar/articleshow/73914665.cms
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