Donkeys of Gujarat attract over 15k tourists every year
AHMEDABAD: The ‘donkeys of Gujarat’ that have been dragged into political campaigns for the ongoing Uttar Pradesh assembly elections attract more than 15,000 tourists every year.
Known as Indian wild ass and Ghudkhar in Gujarati, this is an endangered animal with a population of 4,451. And the only place on earth where this species is found is Little Rann of Kutch (LRK) in Gujarat.
The red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature had a couple of years ago moved the Indian wild ass from the ‘vulnerable’ to ‘endangered’ category. But the initiative to protect this schedule-I animal had started decades ago when an area spread over 5,000 square km in the Little Rann, located some 150 km from Ahmedabad, was declared Wild Ass Sanctuary in 1973.
Today, it generates revenue to the tune of ₹15 to 30 lakh annually for the Gujarat tourism department.
“This year, the tourists footfall so far in the Little Rann of Kutch is nearly 15,000,” said a forest official.
The wild ass population has seen an increase after the Little Rann was declared a sanctuary. From 3,997 in the 2010 census, its count went up to 4,451 in the 2015 census. According to forest officials, before 21st century, this species was found in Gulf countries also but now the plains of LRK is their only abode.
At a rally in Raebareli, Akhilesh had taken a dig at Modi by referring to a Gujarat tourism promotion campaign featuring actor Amitabh Bachchan. “There’s an ad on TV which feature donkeys. I appeal to this century’s biggest movie star, please stop endorsing the donkeys of Gujarat,” Akhilesh had said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied to Yadav’s jibe saying that donkeys are “loyal” and “hard working” which inspire him to work hard.