Centre to launch projects for lion, dolphin conservation
NEWDELHI:PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the Centre will soon launch Project Lion and Project Dolphin for the biodiversity conservation of these species on the lines of Project Tiger launched in 1973. In his Independence Day speech, Modi underlined commitment to the promotion and conservation of biodiversity and said India is one of the very few countries where the forest cover is expanding. “We have successfully carried forward Project Tiger and Project Elephant. The Tiger population has increased in India. In the coming days, we are starting Project Lion for Asiatic lions. And under Project Lion, the work on the required infrastrucinfrastructure ture for the protection and security of Indian lions and in particular the special type of health required will be undertaken. And emphasis will be laid on Project Lion.” Modi said Project Dolphin will focus on both river and sea dolphins.
Asiatic lions are confined to Gir National Park and its surrounding environs in Gujarat’s Saurashtra. The Gujarat forest department in June suggested their population has increased by 29%— from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020.Experts have called for the reintroduction of the species outside Gujarat for the long term conservation of the Asiatics lions.
The Gangetic dolphin is an indicator species, whose status provides information on the overall condition of the ecosystem, for the Ganga ecosystem and is extremely vulnerable to changes in water quality and flow.
Union environment ministry officials said the projects Modi announced are new and different from previous ones for Asiatic Lions and Gangetic Dolphins.
Additional director general (forests) Soumitra Dasgupta said it is a proud moment for them that Modi has announced the projects to conserve Dolphins and Asiatic Lions. “It will involve the conservation of lions and their habitat in a holistic manner. There will be a focus on conflict mitigation and technology for management. Last year, only some financial measures were announced but this project is new and long term,” said Dasgupta.