Environment ministry committee approved Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh as second home for Asiatic lions

Updated: Mar 01, 2017 14:16 IST
An environment ministry’s expert committee has approved Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh as the second home for Asiatic lions found only in Gir national park but the Gujarat government will not share lions unless 33 studies as mandated by international wildlife watchdog IUCN is completed, the minutes of the committee’s meeting tabled in MP assembly on Tuesday disclosed.
Translocation of lions from Gir to Kuno Palpur has been a bitter issue between the two BJP rules states for more than a decade with Prime Minister Narendra Modi terming the big cats as “pride of Gujarat” which it cannot share when he was Gujarat’s chief minister between 2002 and 2014.
The committee at its last meeting in December 2016 in Kuno, which officials from Gujarat forest department also participated, said that the wildlife habitat was “ideally suited for second home for lions”.
“The committee had recommended translocation but time limit for the translocation had not been fixed,” the state government said in a written reply to a question raised by Congress legislator Ram Niwas Rawat.
Although in principle the Gujarat government has not opposed translocation, the minutes showed that the neighbouring state wants all 33 studies, mandated by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) in 2013 for wildlife relocation across the world, should be conducted to check whether Kuno was suitable for translocation or not.
Uday Vohra, conservator of forests (wildlife) Gujarat, at the meeting spoke about state’s proposal for 33 ecological studies before lion relocation. Vohra said preparing the action plan for relocation without studying results and findings of these studies would not solve the issue.
Responding to this, Roy P Thomas, member convener of the committee clarified that the issue was discussed in May 2016 and added that the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had shared a document indicating the relevance of the studies. It said that 7 studies have been completed, 11 more were being conducted and seven were not required. The committee agreed that the WII’s document should be made part of action plan for lion reintroduction.
The studies cover issues like habitat status, prey base, vegetation cover, local weather and so on.
When contacted, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) MP Animesh Shukla said the lion relocation project was inching forward.
“The PCCF Gujarat had visited Kuno in November and expert committee met there in December. The committee said it was ideal second home for the lion, he said. Regarding studies mandated under IUCN guidelines, the committee is taking the call as it is looking after all the aspects of the relocation project. We are facilitating the process to the best of our capability”
In August last year, even union minister of state for environment and forests Anil Madhav Dave had told reporters in Bhopal said MP will get lions from Gujarat soon as 80 % of the work for reintroduction project was complete in Kuno.
Box: Lion relocation project
As Asiatic lions exist only in Gir sanctuary, experts have often expressed apprehensions that high rate of inbreeding and less genetic diversity could make them susceptible to epidemics and make them extinct. In 1993, WII conducted a study to identify the best area for translocation of lions and they found Kuno-Palpur in Sheopur district, nearly 140 kms from Gwalior, most suitable. In this light, a proposal was mooted to translocate a few of the Gir lions to MP in 2000. Wildlife activist Fayaz Khudsar filed a public interest petition in the apex court in 2006 and sought translocation of Gir lions to MP. In April 2013, the apex court in a judgment directed that the lions be translocated to Kuno-Palpur in MP.
There are some positive signs in the much delayed reintroduction of Asiatic Lion in the Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary from Gujarat. Besides expert committee on translocation of lions to MP recommending it as ideally suited for second home for lions, the Gujarat government’s wildlife department has conveyed that “if all the guidelines of IUCN (International Union For Conservation of Nature) are followed, Gujarat does not have any issue in translocation of lions from Gir national park to Kuno sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh”.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/environment-ministry-committee-approved-kuno-palpur-in-madhya-pradesh-as-second-home-for-asiatic-lions/story-kYQwBbXZxWiULLBdVnlHdK.html

When will Asiatic lions roar in Palpur-Kuno, asks Congress

TNN | Updated: Mar 1, 2017, 07.00 AM ISTBHOPAL: Congress raised the issue of translocation of Asiatic lions from Gujarat's Gir to Palpur-Kuno in Madhya Pradesh in the Assembly on Tuesday while asking the reason for the delay.

"Why are Asiatic lions still not being brought to Palpur-Kuno and what has been the communication by the state government to bring them here?" Congress MLA from Lahar seat Dr Govind Singh asked during the Question Hour.

In reply, minister for forests Dr Gauri Shankar Shejwar told the House, "The Madhya Pradesh government is not the hindrance to bringing Gir lions to Palpur-Kuno."

Even after evacuating 344 sq km area for Palpur-Kuno sanctuary and an additional 900 sq km of buffer zone, the Gujarat government is still not prepared to part with its Asiatic lions. Incidentally, both the states are BJP-ruled.

The question of relocation of lions had come from senior Congress MLA from Vijaypur constituency Ram Niwas Rawat but since the latter was absent, Singh pursued the query on his behalf.

The Congress argued that in December last year, a Supreme Court-constituted committee and the Madhya Pradesh government held a meeting, after which the panel found the environment at Palpur-Kuno sanctuary fit for the Asiatic lions.

The MLA alleged that people had to be shifted while their livelihood suffered after agricultural land was acquired for the sanctuary. "People lost their homes and their agricultural land was gone. So, what is the reason that the Gir lions are still not coming to the state?" Singh asked.

Shejwar contended that the matter lies with the Union government and the apex court-appointed committee. "We are just complying with the orders," the minister said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/when-will-asiatic-lions-roar-in-palpur-kuno-asks-cong/articleshow/57400099.cms

Asiatic lions relocation plan from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh sanctuary gets fillip

Updated: Mar 01, 2017 00:56 IST

Neeraj Santoshi

There are plans to reintroduce Asiatic lions in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary from Gujarat.(AP File Photo)

There are some positive signs in the much delayed reintroduction of Asiatic Lion in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary from Gujarat.
Besides an expert committee on translocation of lions to MP recommending it as an ideally suited for second home for lions, the Gujarat government’s wildlife department has conveyed that “if all the guidelines of IUCN (International Union For Conservation of Nature) are followed, Gujarat does not have any issue in translocation ...”
The development came to light on Tuesday in the MP state legislative assembly where the minutes of a recent meeting of the committee were submitted.
The committee constituted by the Supreme Court in 2013 visited Palpur-Kuno Sanctuary and held its sixth meeting there stating that Kuno was ideally suited as a second home.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/asiatic-lions-relocation-plan-from-gujarat-to-madhya-pradesh-sanctuary-gets-fillip/story-foLBqieQgAywr68axhxgJI.html

Government clueless on deadline to shift Gujarat Asiatic lions to MP

Congress MLA Dr Govind Singh asked the minister that whether he would urge the Prime Minister in this regard.

By: PTI | Bhopal | Published:February 28, 2017 6:02 pm

Madhya Pradesh government Tuesday said in the Legislative Assembly that it is clueless about the deadline to translocate some Asiatic Lions from Gujarat’s Gir National Park to state’s Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary. State forest minister Dr Gaurishankar Shejwar, in his reply to a question raised by Congress MLA Ramniwas Rawat, said a decision in this regard was to be taken by an expert committee set up by the Centre in accordance with Supreme Court directives.
“No deadline has been set for the translocation of Asiatic Lions from Gujarat’s Gir to state’s Palpur-Kuno. The decisions in this regard are to be taken by the committee appointed by the Supreme Court,” Shejwar said. Congress MLA Dr Govind Singh pointed out that a long period has passed and several tribal families have been shifted from Palpur-Kuno. They are deprived of their farm land in order to prepare the sanctuary for the arrival of Gir lions.
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Singh asked the minister that whether he would urge the Prime Minister in this regard. To which, Shejwar said that the Prime Minister has no direction connection with the issue as all the decisions were to be taken by the SC-appointed committee. He further informed that the members of the committee have already inspected the preparations at Palpur-Kuno in Sheopur district.

“State government rehabilitated the families. A tripartite agreement including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Centre would be signed before the translocation. The committee will have to take initiatives in this regard,” Shejwar said. Intervening in the matter, BJP MLA from Durgalal Vijay urged the state government to take pro-active initiatives to ensure early shifting of lions.

It may be noted that the state government has been seeking transfer of Asiatic lions from Gujarat to Palpur-Kuno sanctuary for quite sometime now. The reintroduction plan of the lions had faced a stiff opposition from Gujarat.
In April 2013, the Supreme Court had ordered shifting of some lions to Palpur-Kuno. The SC-appointed committee had also made a visit to the sanctuary in December last year.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/government-clueless-on-deadline-to-shift-gujarat-asiatic-lions-to-mp-state-forest-minister-4548184/

Watch: Brave milkman chases away lioness to protect cows

The Gir region is one of the most important protected areas in Asia as it is the home of the Asiatic lioness

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By News Nation Bureau  |  Updated On : February 27, 2017 11:41 PM
New Delhi :   A milkman residing near Gir who was travelling with his cows successfully chased away a lioness. Afraid that the lioness may target its cows, the man ran towards it with full force.
Surprised by the man's sudden spurt, the beast was terrified and fled the scene.  A passerby recorded the man's valiant act in his mobile phone.
The Gir region is one of the most important protected areas in Asia as it is the home of the Asiatic lion. In recent years, however, as the lion population has grown, man-animal conflict has increased in the region.
for video;
http://www.newsnation.in/india-news/video-watch-how-brave-milkman-chases-away-lioness-to-protect-his-cows-article-162855.html

Shaurya to fuel Mysuru zoo breeding project

Shankar Bennur Mysuru February 25, 2017 23:00 IST

Shaurya is all set to begin his journey to Mysuru in the second week of March. Special Arrangement  

Three-year-old Asiatic lion from Gujarat zoo to arrive in Mysuru soon

Shaurya, a three-year-old male Asiatic lion from Rajkot in Gujarat, will soon be making the century-old Mysuru zoo, one of the country’s biggest and famed zoological gardens, its home, and give a greater push to the zoo’s grand plan of breeding the highly endangered species in captivity.
The zoo has set its vision on becoming a successful centre for the captive breeding of Asiatic lions, found only in Gujarat, and share them with other Indian zoos. There are very few Asiatic lions left both in the wild and in captivity since their breeding in captivity was considered to be a huge challenge.
The zoo has got a young lioness, Renita, from Sakkarbaugh zoo in Gujarat. Sakkarbaugh zoo is one of the most sought after zoos across the globe, as it is the largest and most successful breeder of Asiatic lions. Besides exchanging lions across the world, it also releases them into the wild – Gir forest – to increase their numbers.
The Mysuru zoo signed a deal with Rajkot Zoological Park to procure a male lion in return for surplus animals and birds in its stock.
Shaurya is all set to begin his long journey to Mysuru in the second week of March. Mysuru zoo veterinarian Ramesh had gone to Rajkot for screening of the animal before it could be transported it to Mysuru.
With Asiatic lions being in great demand and enjoying a high exchange value, the Mysuru zoo agreed to give quite a lot of animals and birds for the ‘prized’ animal.

“It’s not easy for a zoo to get an Asiatic lion. The young male will be heading to Mysuru soon. Its holding room is being readied. I’m sure Shaurya will be one of the biggest attractions for visitors. The zoo houses only one male lion which is Afro-Asiatic in breed,” zoo executive director K. Kamala told The Hindu. A pair of Indian grey wolf, a male Himalayan black bear, two female hog deer, two male Common Sand Boa, a pair of Alexandrine parakeet, a pair of Lady Amherst pheasant, two pairs of red junglefowl, a pair of white ibis, a pair of rose-ringed parakeet, three pairs of Java Sparrow and ten pairs of budgerigar will be exchanged with Rajkot zoo. Only a few zoos in the country have housed the Asiatic lion.

Mysuru zoo had Asiatic lions in 1989 but could not breed them. Five years ago, it got a pair of lions from Sakkarbaug zoo. The lioness, Gowri, suffered health problems. She delivered a cub that died. Gowri has been taken off display.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/Shaurya-to-fuel-Mysuru-zoo-breeding-project/article17368368.ece

Gujarat’s four national parks have least buffer zone

• TOI
• Rajkot
• Sat,25 Feb 2017
  

  

  
  

  Summary: In fact, the four national parks in the state have even lesser protection cover of ESZs than than the sanctuaries.The four national parks include Gir National Park, Velavadar Blackbuck National Park , Marine National Park and Vansda National Park . National parks, which have the highest protection cover for its flagship species, have the least eco-sensitive zone in Gujarat.This is revealed if one carefully analysis the ESZs around sanctuaries and national parks in the state. Any unwarranted, unauthorised and unregulated activities around these national parks would cause an irreparable loss of our precious natural heritage," said a senior forest department officer. Biren Padhya , a wildlife activist, said, "The government's attempt to reduce ESZs drastically even around the national parks is beyond common sense and devoid of scientific approach. The action plan also indicates all identified areas around protected areas and wildlife corridors should be declared as ecologically fragile under Environment (Protection) Act 1986.

  BHAVNAGAR: Gujarat government's utter disregard towards preserving its wildlife couldn't be more telling. National parks, which have the highest protection cover for its flagship species, have the least eco-sensitive zone in Gujarat.This is revealed if one carefully analysis the ESZs around sanctuaries and national parks in the state. In fact, the four national parks in the state have even lesser protection cover of ESZs than than the sanctuaries.The four national parks include Gir National Park, Velavadar Blackbuck National Park , Marine National Park and Vansda National Park .
  
  Out of the four, three are in Saurashtra.The final notification for Marine National Park has already been approved and the government's move to shrink ESZ cover for Gir and Velavadar will prove dangerous. Any unwarranted, unauthorised and unregulated activities around these national parks would cause an irreparable loss of our precious natural heritage," said a senior forest department officer. Biren Padhya , a wildlife activist, said, "The government's attempt to reduce ESZs drastically even around the national parks is beyond common sense and devoid of scientific approach.
  
  Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/states-four-national-parks-have-least-buffer-zone/articleshow/57336605.cms

Gujarat: Striped hyena killed by vehicle near Gir National Park

The hyena was killed on Tuesday after an unknown vehicle hit it and sped away.

By: PTI | Vadodara | Published:February 22, 2017 2:12 pm

A striped Hyena was killed in the Savarkundla forest range in Amreli district of Gujarat, forest officials said on Wednesday. The rare carnivorous dog-like species was found dead yesterday near Adsang crossing at Ambardi-Ghorda village on Savarkundla-Rajula road, they added. Rambhai Mor, a range forest officer at Savarkundla, told PTI that the hyena was killed in the wee hours when an unknown vehicle hit the animal and sped away.
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After receiving information, a forest team rushed to the spot and recovered the carcass, he said. This forest range is located near the lion sanctuary at Sasangir near Junagadh district. Hyenas have a large head and strong jaws filled with huge teeth used to crush bone. Their powerful jaws and strong teeth are a sign of their carnivorous diet. Although they are mostly scavengers, hyenas are also skilled hunters able to take down relatively large prey. Some striped hyenas even prey on sheep, goats, donkeys, and horses. When foraging, striped hyenas move in a zigzag pattern at a slow trot.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-striped-hyena-killed-by-vehicle-near-gir-national-park-4537867/