‘Shrink ESZ, be ready for disastrous impact’

(Representative image)

Vijaysinh Parmar | TNN | Updated: Dec 8, 2016, 06.55 AM IST
RAJKOT: Experts and wildlife conservationists have warned of disastrous consequences if the state government drastically reduces the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, the last abode of Asiatic lions.

Last month, the forest department had sent a modified proposal of ESZ to the union ministry of forests and environment (MoEF) reducing the ESZ to just 500 m in place of the earlier 8 km to 17.9 km.

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"If the ESZ is going to be reduced drastically, it would defeat the purpose of forest and wildlife conservation. ESZ is for the safe safe movement of lions and biodiversity around the Gir forest. The move will degrade eco-system around thet forest and eventually lead to more human-wildlife conflict as hazardous development will take place in vicinity of critical fringe of GWS,'' said Bhushan Pandya, renowned wildlife photographer .

While the government maintains that the decision to shrink the ESZ cover was taken following representations of locals, sources close to the development said that there was no such consultation with the people living around Gir, who are the main stakeholders of ESZ.

"Forest department has to go to people living in nearby villages and explain to them the importance of ESZ. Moreover, such an important decision, like shrinking ESZ, has to be taken by an experts' committee and they should take people into confidence. Even if government wants to re-size it, it has right to do it but ESZ should be remodified taking in account of wildlife and not anyone's vested interests,'' G A Patel, former principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden told TOI. "There is an urgent need to bring clarity on parts of ESZ among local villagers and explain Dos and Don'ts' in ESZ and assure them that it would not affect their livelihood," said V C Soni, wildlife expert and member of state wildlife advisory board.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Shrink-ESZ-be-ready-for-disastrous-impact/articleshow/55862267.cms

‘Supply low voltage power to Gir at night’

TNN | Updated: Dec 7, 2016, 06.42 AM ISTAHMEDABAD: To protect Asiatic lions from electrocution, the Gujarat government informed Gujarat high court that it has instructed the electricity distribution company not to continue high voltage electricity supply to areas in the Gir sanctuary at night.
The issue came before the high court when a wildlife activist, Biren Pandya, filed a petition demanding investigation by police into the electrocution of a pregnant lioness. The forest department has instructed Paschim Gujarat Vij Co Ltd to discontinue high voltage electrical supply at night to farms and households within the sanctuary. The state government also told the high court that it would restrict farm owners from putting up electric fences to keep wild animals away. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Supply-low-voltage-power-to-Gir-at-night/articleshow/55843103.cms

Safety net around Asiatic lions set to shrink

Kapil Dave & Vijaysinh Parmar | TNN | Dec 6, 2016, 05.49 AM IST

(Representative image)

GANDHINAGAR/ RAJKOT: Barely a month after proposing an ecosensitive zone (ESZ) covering 8 km to 17.9 km around Gir Wildlife Sanctuary , the state government has suddenly developed cold feet. It feels the safety net around this last abode of Asiatic lions is too large.
Now, the government has decided to drastically shrink the ESZ to just 500 metres and is preparing to send a new proposal to the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) for its nod. This essentially means that if the shrunk ESZ is appro ved, all types of construction activity, including com mercially lucrative re sorts, hotels and mi ning, could be carried out more closer to the lions' habitat.

Sources close to the development told TOI that the de cision looks driven by `certain vested interests' and could potentially dent massive efforts undertaken to protect Asiatic lions. As per latest census, there are around 523 lions in Gir, half of which live on the sanctuary's fringes or outside.

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The MoEF had notified the ESZ on its website as a preliminary notification but TOI has learnt that in the recently held meetings of ministers and forest department officers, a modified proposal was made to shrink the ESZ size.

"The drastic reduction in ESZ cover is beyond any reasoning and it has completely ignored the importance of Gir as the last refuge of Asiatic lions. The new proposal is being prepared under pressure of certain vested interests," a senior IFS officer in Gandhinagar told TOI.

State's forest and environment minister Ganpat Vasava confirmed the ESZ has been reduced. "After the general proposal was sent earlier, we consulted with farmers and residents.Considering their development needs, we have proposed reducing the ESZ area."

When asked if the government has acted under political compulsion, Vasava said, "We have to strike the right balance.We have considered the interest of man and animal both." Kuldeep Goelhttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Safety-net-around-Asiatic-lions-set-to-shrink/articleshow/55825195.cms

ESZ blues: Gujarat gets Centre's assurance of positive steps

• TOI
• Ahmedabad
• Sun,04 Dec 2016
  

  Summary: A presentation on the problems faced by the villagers in these notified zones was made before the Union minister. The Centre had notified these zones as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court. The state will have to seek the Centre's permission in each case. Permission has been sought from Central Zoo Authority for the Ambardi Safari Park near Gir Sanctuary.Rupani pointed out that agricultural lands of farmers have been included in these zones, obstructing the people's movement, jeopardizing their livelihood and halting construction activities for the infrastructure projects in these zones. GANDHINAGAR: Union environment & forest and climate change minister Anil Madhav Dave on Saturday assured Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani that the Centre would favourably decide the teething problems pertaining to declaring 11 Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) in the state.Rupani during his meeting with Dave here listed a number of issues discussed like carrying out agricultural and other economic activities by villagers and providing infrastructure facilities, like drinking water, electricity and gas pipelines through the 11 Eco-Sensitive Zones in the state.

  GANDHINAGAR: Union environment & forest and climate change minister Anil Madhav Dave on Saturday assured Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani that the Centre would favourably decide the teething problems pertaining to declaring 11 Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) in the state.Rupani during his meeting with Dave here listed a number of issues discussed like carrying out agricultural and other economic activities by villagers and providing infrastructure facilities, like drinking water, electricity and gas pipelines through the 11 Eco-Sensitive Zones in the state. The state will have to seek the Centre's permission in each case. The Centre had notified these zones as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court.
  
  They include national parks at Gir and Velavadar, wildlife sanctuaries at Gir, Paniya, Mitiyana, Velavadar, Barda, Nalsarovar, Khijadiya, Gaga and Hingolgarh, besides a birds sanctuary at Porbandar.Other present during the meeting were Gujarat's forest minister Ganpat Vasava, minister of state for environment Shankar Chaudhry and senior officers of environment and forest department.Responding positively to Gujarat's concern, Dave told Rupani that the Centre would convene a joint meeting of the Central and state government officers of departments concerned in New Delhi to find a permanent solution to the issues raised in the larger interest of the people.It was emphasized at today's meeting that non-essential areas need not be included in the Eco-Sensitive Zones. Permission has been sought from Central Zoo Authority for the Ambardi Safari Park near Gir Sanctuary.Rupani pointed out that agricultural lands of farmers have been included in these zones, obstructing the people's movement, jeopardizing their livelihood and halting construction activities for the infrastructure projects in these zones. A presentation on the problems faced by the villagers in these notified zones was made before the Union minister..
  
  Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/ESZ-blues-Gujarat-gets-Centres-assurance-of-positive-steps/articleshow/55783188.cms
  

Locals say ‘no’ to mobile tower near Gir sanctuary

• TOI
• Ahmedabad
• Fri,02 Dec 2016
  

  Summary: The panchayat and the forest department gave permission to set up the tower on government waste land, he said.He demanded that the tower should be dismantled immediately or the residents would launch a stir. The forest department had sanctioned the tower once it had sent a proposal earmarking the eco-sensitive zone in the area.According to the eco-sensitive zone notification, no such tower can be set up as it can affect birds in the area. The radiation from the tower will impact the birds. Ahmedabad: Agitated at the setting up of a mobile tower on the outskirts of Gir Sancturary, local residents from Sasan are planning to approach the collector and make representations.The residents have already made a representation before the mamlatdar at Mendarda but failing to get the desired response, they have decided to march to the collectorate in Junagadh to make their representation.Salim Baloch, a resident who is leading the movement against setting up of the tower, said that the tower is adjacent to the boundary of the sanctuary. A study has revealed that sparrows in the cities have all but disappeared because of radiation from mobile towers, said Baloch.Fakirmohammed Noormohammed, another resident of Sasan, said that if a villager wants to increase the floor of his house, the forest department and the panchayat refused permission citing eco-sensitive zone was not cleared, and hence no new permission can be given.But in this case, all the rules were disregarded.

  Ahmedabad: Agitated at the setting up of a mobile tower on the outskirts of Gir Sancturary, local residents from Sasan are planning to approach the collector and make representations.The residents have already made a representation before the mamlatdar at Mendarda but failing to get the desired response, they have decided to march to the collectorate in Junagadh to make their representation.Salim Baloch, a resident who is leading the movement against setting up of the tower, said that the tower is adjacent to the boundary of the sanctuary. The forest department had sanctioned the tower once it had sent a proposal earmarking the eco-sensitive zone in the area.According to the eco-sensitive zone notification, no such tower can be set up as it can affect birds in the area. The radiation from the tower will impact the birds.
  
  A study has revealed that sparrows in the cities have all but disappeared because of radiation from mobile towers, said Baloch.Fakirmohammed Noormohammed, another resident of Sasan, said that if a villager wants to increase the floor of his house, the forest department and the panchayat refused permission citing eco-sensitive zone was not cleared, and hence no new permission can be given.But in this case, all the rules were disregarded. The panchayat and the forest department gave permission to set up the tower on government waste land, he said.He demanded that the tower should be dismantled immediately or the residents would launch a stir.. .
  
  Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Locals-say-no-to-mobile-tower-near-Gir-sanctuary/articleshow/55735776.cms
  

Over 40 hectares forest in lion's abode to be cleared for university

Highlights
Over 40 hectares forest in Asiatic lion's abode will be cleared to construct Bhakt Kavi Narsinh Mehta University near Junagadh

• The BKNMU has issued a tender notice of Rs 7.23 lakh inviting bids to chop forest trees near the village
• Wildlife conservationists have raised an alarm over the proposed move

(Representative image)

Vijaysinh Parmar | TNN | Updated: Dec 2, 2016, 01.10 PM IST

RAJKOT: Wildlife conservationists have raised an alarm over the proposed clearing of nearly 44 hectares of lush green forest in the Asiatic lion's abode to construct Bhakt Kavi Narsinh Mehta University (BKNMU) in Khadia village near Junagadh.

The BKNMU has issued a tender notice of Rs 7.23 lakh inviting bids to chop forest trees near the village, located on the fringes of Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to nearly 45 lions. Moreover, Khadia is located in the eco sensitive zone notified around the sanctuary in 2013 where construction activity is restricted.

"Farm houses, hotels, resorts and such other activities that might lead to unregulated tourism shall be strictly cont rolled and be monitored in villages Patla, Vishal Hadmatiya, Mendpara, Dudhala, Malida, Pasvala, Kariya, Samatpara, Patwad, Chhodwadi, Nava Naghaniya, Mandlikpur, Bandhala, Bhalgam, Mandanpara, Toraniya and Khadia," the ESZ notification says. The land on which the uni versity is proposed to be built was allotted to the fo rest department (extension) and it has carried out plantation in 40ha area from 2007 to 2013 to improve the biodiversity adjoining the sanctuary .

" Area earmarked for varsity is a lions' corridor critical for movement of wild animals. Moreover, it falls under the ESZ. We had lodged our protests when government had first announced the plan. University can be set up anywhere but not at cost of our natural heritage,'' said wildlife conservationist Pranav Vaghashiya from Junagadh.

"The area where the university is proposed is a lions' corridor as it is close to the sanctuary.If buildings are constructed, it will adversely affect movement of wildlife and the lions will be forced to venture into human habitats. This will increase chances of human-wildlife conflict," R Senthil Kumaran, DCF , Junagadh, told TOI.

According to the ESZ norms, all activities in Girnar ESZ shall be governed by provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Environment Protection Act, 1986. 
Dr F A Sheikh, registrar, BKNMU, said they have acquired the necessary permissions from the forest department to go ahead with the chopping of trees. "Some permissions are under process and we will go ahead with the due process," Sheikh told TOI.

"It is because of forest department's seven years of perseverance that the area around Khadia village has flourished with rich biodiversity and became prime area for wildlife habitat. We have seen lions preying and moving on the land allotted to BKNMU," a forest department officer told TOI.

Top Comment

" OH human beings...your greed is making life of these animals hell....they too are God''s creature......where will they live if you want to capture every thing for your pleasures"dev Dahiya

The ESZ guideline clearly says there shall be no consequential reduction in forest area, green area and agricultural area and an unused or unproductive agricultural area may be re-forested.

Times View

The decision to allot land for a university in the area which falls under eco-sensitive zone defeats the very purpose of demarcating space to protect wildlife. Already, nearly 5,000 people enter the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary daily and having a sprawling campus will only increase the chances of human wildlife conflict. The state government still has time to rethink about an alternate location for the educational institute. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Over-40-hectares-forest-in-lions-abode-to-be-cleared-for-university/articleshow/55742214.cms

Three super cute endangered lion cubs born at Chessington Zoo

The female cubs, who are all yet to be named, were born to Kamal and Rani in the autumn and are doing well
ByJames Chapple

12:07, 1 DEC 2016
Updated12:09, 1 DEC 2016

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/three-super-cute-endangered-lion-12257309

Ex-minister Kamal Morarka's book Roar: Asiatic lions, Indian tigers & the wild

ET Bureau|

Updated: Dec 02, 2016, 01.25 PM IST

The book features rare photographs, like that of the Siberian cranes that travelled to India from the Arctic tundra of Russia.

Kamal Morarka has donned many hats — from an industrialist to politician to philanthropist. Now, the former Union minister wants to share his passion of photography.

Sanctuary magazine, one of India’s most respected publishers of wildlife photographs, has brought out his new book, Roar.

This is the exotic cover of the book which features a handsome Indian tiger. (Image: BCCL)

With his trusted camera slung across his shoulder, Morarka has captured the beauty and the mystery of the wild during his travels all over India and other parts of the world.


A lonely rhino. (Image: BCCL)

The book features some rare photographs, like that of the Siberian cranes that used to travel to India from the Arctic tundra of Russia every winter. Morarka captured the last pair sighted in Bharatpur in 1992.


An elegant giraffe. (Image: BCCL)

Morarka also captured the power and dignity of the African elephant, the elegance of the giraffe, the majesty of the Asiatic lion and the quiet loneliness of the rhinoceros. But above all, he captured through his lens the passion and the beauty of the Indian tiger — his obsession, which is evident on the book’s cover. Roar not only features stunning visuals and the magic of the animal kingdom, but also a multi-faceted politician and his walk on the wild side. Want stories like this in your inbox? Sign up for the weekly ET Panache newsletter.

With an introduction by environmentalist Bittu Sahgal and a preface by Pritish Nandy, the book will feature the best of Morarka’s wildlife photographs taken over the past two decades. 

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/ex-minister-kamal-morarkas-book-roar-asiatic-lions-indian-tigers-the-wild/articleshow/55741178.cms