Ahmedabad: Gujarat There is a need to create more protected places for Asiatic lions as 50 per cent of them live outside the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. It was recommended by the 11-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Climate Change, which is on a four-day visit to Gujarat. The state, which is the only habitat of Asiatic lions, has lost 283 of them, including 142 cubs, to natural and unnatural causes in the last two years.
Committee chairman and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said more protected areas like Barda Dungar should be created in Gujarat as the state was not in favor of shifting the animals to another state. ,
Ramesh said the biggest challenge for Gujarat is to avoid human-animal conflict as 50 per cent of the lion population lives outside the protected area. “The need of the hour is to create protected sanctuaries to ensure a conducive, safe environment for them to live in,” he said.
“I remember that Project Lion was started in 1972 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and later, in 1973, Project Tiger took shape. And now the time has come for Gujarat Forest Department to focus on the aspect of protecting the species. Do,” said the chairman of the parliamentary committee, “the transfer has become a political issue rather than a conservation issue between Gujarat and India”. Madhya Pradesh,
committee meeting also Maldhari To understand their concerns to the families living inside the Gir Sanctuary area. “Around 400 families live here and they were all willing to move out of the sanctuary. They not only want compensation but also rehabilitation. We have been told that the state government needs to earmark 2,000 acres for these families. And create infrastructure for those private companies have offered. The Gujarat Forest Department should consider the proposals.”
He said that the local people had also objected to the proposal of 14 km elevated railway line in the sanctuary area. “In our report to Parliament, we will recommend that the project should not be taken forward by the Ministry of Railways and the Forest Department should also withdraw permission for the same,” he said.
Rajya Sabha MP Santosh Kumar J, who was part of the meeting, tweeted, “When you respect the laws of nature you can live with wild animals too. That’s what we felt when we interacted with these happy herd native tribes. Maldhari In Gir Park.”
Committee chairman and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said more protected areas like Barda Dungar should be created in Gujarat as the state was not in favor of shifting the animals to another state. ,
Ramesh said the biggest challenge for Gujarat is to avoid human-animal conflict as 50 per cent of the lion population lives outside the protected area. “The need of the hour is to create protected sanctuaries to ensure a conducive, safe environment for them to live in,” he said.
“I remember that Project Lion was started in 1972 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and later, in 1973, Project Tiger took shape. And now the time has come for Gujarat Forest Department to focus on the aspect of protecting the species. Do,” said the chairman of the parliamentary committee, “the transfer has become a political issue rather than a conservation issue between Gujarat and India”. Madhya Pradesh,
committee meeting also Maldhari To understand their concerns to the families living inside the Gir Sanctuary area. “Around 400 families live here and they were all willing to move out of the sanctuary. They not only want compensation but also rehabilitation. We have been told that the state government needs to earmark 2,000 acres for these families. And create infrastructure for those private companies have offered. The Gujarat Forest Department should consider the proposals.”
He said that the local people had also objected to the proposal of 14 km elevated railway line in the sanctuary area. “In our report to Parliament, we will recommend that the project should not be taken forward by the Ministry of Railways and the Forest Department should also withdraw permission for the same,” he said.
Rajya Sabha MP Santosh Kumar J, who was part of the meeting, tweeted, “When you respect the laws of nature you can live with wild animals too. That’s what we felt when we interacted with these happy herd native tribes. Maldhari In Gir Park.”