Gir reserve to get hospital and ambulances for Asiatic lions
CARE FOR BIG CATS Centre will spend ~98 crore over 3 years and Gujarat government will contribute ~250 crore
NEWDELHI: The Gir National Park in Gujarat will get dedicated ambulances and veterinary hospitals to treat injured and sick lions as part of the Asiatic Lion Conservation Project, launched by the Union environment ministry on Friday, officials said.
Last year, out of the 39 lions that tested positive for canine distemper — a viral disease — 24 succumbed to the infection.
The Centre will spend ~98 crore over three years for the implementation of the project, with the Gujarat government contributing another ~250 crore. The Centre has released ~17 crore for the first year. Additional chief secretary, Gujarat, Rajiv Kumar Gupta, said the number of lions in Gir and the Greater Gir Region — a bigger area comprising Girnar, critically endangered species have been listed for recovery, which includes Asiatic lions lions died in Gir sanctuary in September 2018 is the number of lions in Gujarat, according to Gujarat government officials
The Gujarat government blamed infighting and Canine Distemper virus for the deaths
Lion census data shows steady rise in lion population, the numbers have gone up from 177 lions in 1968 to 523 in 2015
Pani and Mitiyala sanctuaries — has improved over the years.
There are around 600 lions at present, compared to 523 assessed during the lion census in 2015.
“We will spend ~80 crore on a
Modern patrolling techniques used for tigers, such as GPS devices such as M Stripes, will now be used to track lions
hospital and ambulances for our lions,” he said.
The Greater Gir Region will be divided into various zones and they will be managed according to various “zone plans and theme
An expert group is exploring whether lions can be translocated to Kuno Palpur in MP
plans”, the project brief said.
Vaccination of livestock, control of cats and dogs in lion habitat, identification of wildlife corridors, improvement of habitat, legal aid, wildlife forensic sys- tems and offering attractive relocation packages to Maldhari (a pastoral community) and other communities are the highlights of the project.
“I think a conservation plan was much needed because lions are now there outside the sanctuary area as well. Their population has been on the rise. Since lions are going out, measures are needed to reduce conflict and prevent infections. Anti-poaching measures are also important,” said Diwakar Sharma, director, monitoring and evaluation at WWF India. “Any relocation of Maldharis or other tribes should be congenial and of value to the community since they have also been playing a role in conservation of lions.”
He added that similar rescue vans and veterinary doctors have already been deployed in tiger zones of the country. National average