Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur)

Gir reserve to get hospital and ambulances for Asiatic lions

- Jayashree Nandi letters@hindustant­imes.com

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. Haryana Jammu & Kashmir Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan Sikkim Maharashtr­a West Bengal National average Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu

Nagaland/meghalaya/ Manipur/karnataka

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