Asiatic Lion and Gir Forest

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Monday, March 30, 2020

Gujarat: 261 lion deaths took place in last two yrs, only 17 unnatural

Posted at: Mar 5 2020 6:56PM

Gujarat: 261 lion deaths took place in last two yrs, only 17 unnatural

Gandhinagar, Mar 5 (UNI) A total of 261 lions have died in last two years in and around Gir forest in Gujarat, which is the only natural abode of Asiatic lions, Forest and Environment Minister Ganpat Vasava informed on Thursday.
In reply to a question in the state Assembly here,Vasava, however said that most deaths of the lions was due to natural reasons as only 17 have died due to unnatural causes.
He said that in 2018, a total of 113 (59 adult lions and 54 cubs) died with only 10 of these deaths being caused by unnatural reasons. In 2019, the total number of deaths was 148 (79 adult and 69 cubs) with the number of unnatural deaths being only 7.
Vasava said that as per the last five yearly lion's census of 2015, the total number of lions in and around Gir was 523.
He also said that the forest department in the state has taken a number of steps to protect the lions from unnatural deaths including fencing of around 40 km of railway track in the jungle, making parapet for over 38 thousand open wells in the jungle area.
He also informed that in the last two years a total of 340 leopards have also died across the state.
During the year 2016 and 2017, a total of 184 lions had died the Gir forests and around it with the number of unnatural deaths being 32. In those two years 104 deaths (12 unnatural, 92 natural) were in 2016 while 80 (20 unnatural and 60 natural) were in 2017.
The five yearly Lion Census conducted last time in May 2015 had estimated the population of Asiatic lions at 523 (27 pc up compared to previous census in 2010). The population was 411 in 2010 and 359 in 2005. As per the 2015 census, the population of lions in Junagadh district was 268, Gir Somnath 44, Amreli District 174 (highest increase) and in adjoining Bhavangar District was 37. Of them there were 109 males, 201 females and 213 cubs.
UNI RAJ PS 1856
http://www.uniindia.com/gujarat-261-lion-deaths-took-place-in-last-two-yrs-only-17-unnatural/west/news/1908499.html

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Asiatic Lion Protection Society

Asiatic Lion Protection Society (ALPS) founded in year 2006, is an NGO working mainly for conservation of Asiatic Lion in Gir forest and in Indian Zoos. Main objectives: To compile max. information about Asiatic Lion plus Gir forest and spread it through out the globe by website, blogs, Wikipedia, yahoo groups etc To help protection & conservation of Asiatic Lion & Gir forest by taking up projects like - Building parapets on open wells. - To contact and request nationalize banks of Gir area to put a condition to built parapet on open wells while sanctioning loan to farmers - At the time of festivals, organize camps near temples like Kankai, Banej & Tulsi Shyam to educate tourist to protect wildlife. - To distribute information and awareness leaflets at check-post to visitors using jungle roads. - Make representation & persuade Govt. to make Gir 'A Plastic Free Zone. Similarly contact local civil bodies to make their areas A Plastic free zone. To inform authorities about illegal activities inside the jungle like wood-cutting, removal of forest produce, poaching, illegal grazing etc. To inform authorities about injured wild animals. Also educate locals of Gir forests as well as school/college students to conserve Gir forest, it's wildlife and to represent to Govt. in favor of trans-location of Asiatic Lion to some other good place in Gujarat. P S: We welcome your comments & posts and expect that our conversation will follow the general rules of respectful civil discourse. You’re fully responsible for everything that you submit here in your comments & posts.

Discover Gir forest with us...

If you wish to travel Gir forest... we will be happy to help, guide and accompany you to explore Gir forest for the best experience. Please contact us for the same.

Gir forest...
Gir lies has a topography made up of succession of rugged ridges, isolated hills, plateaus and valleys. Besides, being the last abode of Asiatic lions, Gir forms a unique habitat for ratel, rusty spotted cat, pangolin, ruddy mongoose, civets, paradise flycatcher etc.The overwhelming presence of the omnipotent big cat diverts the attention of the common man from the remarkable bird population that the sanctuary has. However, the birds of Gir sanctuary did attract the great ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali who believed that, had the Asiatic lions not been there, the area would have been one of the most fascinating bird sanctuaries of the country.
People mostly link Gir with "Maldharis" who have survived through the ages by having symbiotic relationship with the lion. They are religious pastoral communities living in Gir. Their settlements are called "nesses".
At present, Gir forests of Gujarat (India) is the only natural place where this race of lions i.e. Asiatic lion is found.