- Prey base for lions increased by 37% in five years
- MoS MoEFCC Kirti Vardhan Singh replies to MP Parimal Nathwani
NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, FEB 14
The Gujarat Government has identified 21 important corridors have been identified by as per the management plan for Gir Protected Area.
The information was provided by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh in Rajya Sabha on Thursday while replying to a question raised by member Parimal Nathwani regarding lion corridors in Gir.
“The Gujarat Government has identified 21 important corridors have been identified by as per the management plan for Gir Protected Area,” said Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh.
“The Project Lion is being implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat. The Project envisages landscape ecology-based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating conservation and eco-development. The Project Lion document titled “Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal” has been prepared with the following objectives: To secure & restore lions’ habitats for managing its growing population; scale up livelihood generation and participation of local communities; become a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment; and inclusive biodiversity conservation through the project lion initiative,” the minister added.
As per the information available with the Ministry, the Government of Gujarat has conducted comprehensive studies on lion corridors using modern technologies like radio collaring and GIS mapping. In the process, the relevant institutions are engaged. Various initiatives have been taken up to mitigate habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict, which includes habitat restoration efforts, community engagement programs and scientific research for ensuring the long-term conservation efforts, said the minister.
The important steps taken by the Government for protection and conservation of Asiatic Lion and its habitat include:
- A network of Protected Areas (National parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves) has been created in the Gir area, legal protection provided to wild animals against hunting and commercial exploitation under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Coordination by Wild Life Crime Control Bureau with State/UTs and other enforcement agencies to gather intelligence about poaching and unlawful trade in wild animals and animal articles.
- Involvement of the local communities in conservation measures through eco-development activities, which help the forest department in protection of Wildlife.
- Effective monitoring and supervision of lion corridors and lion movement areas is carried out through patrolling of forest area.
- Use of modern technology and IT initiatives has been taken for effective communication system for quick response.
Prey base for lions increased by 37% in five years in Gir
The prey base for the Asiatic Lion in Gir has increased by 37% in the last five years. The estimated prey base for Lion in Gir has increased from 1,55,659 in 2019 to 2,13,391 in 2024. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh provided the information in Rajya Sabha on February 6, 2025 while replying to question raised by Parimal Nathwani, MP.
According to the statement of the minister, prey base augmentation enclosures for key species such as Spotted deer (Axix axis), Sambar (Rusa unicolor) have been strategically established across key areas to enhance the prey base population and support long-term sustainability. Systematic population assessments of herbivores are conducted to monitor population trends and ensure stable wild prey base within the landscape, said the minister.
According to the statement of the minister, Sambar prey base augmentation enclosures have been established at Krangasa, Vadvangada, Ambardi, Kileshwar-1, Kileshwar-2, Rampara, Karjada, and Spotted deer prey base augmentation enclosures have been established at Satvirada and Rampara.
Nathwani wanted to know about the herbivore prey base for lions in Gir, Gujarat; the steps taken by the Central Government and the State Government to ensure availability of sufficient preys around the areas of lions’ movement; whether any breeding centres are set up for herbivore animals in and around Gir to cater to growing number of lions and their migration out of Gir and the details of steps taken to reduce incidents of lions moving out to human areas and to prevent human-animal conflicts.
According to the statement of the minister, number of important steps have been taken to reduce incidents of lions moving out to human areas and to prevent human-animal conflicts, like construction/erection of physical barriers such as solar powered electric fence, bio-fencing, boundary walls etc. to prevent the entry of wild animals into crop fields, Radio collaring of selected lions for assessing their movement and behaviour patterns as well as trackers and rescue teams are deployed for shifting animals from human populated areas in case of conflicts, etc. Moreover, habitat improvement works are taken up in Protected Areas and other lion habitats, financial aid for human injuries/causalities as well as for cattle deaths are provided by the state government.
