Centre asks state
to relent over shifting Gir lions to Palpar Kuno
The
Centre is believed to have initiated efforts to convince the state government
to accede to the demand of Madhya Pradesh for shifting lions to Palpar
Kuno sanctuary being developed for creating a new habitat for the Gir
lions. The Centre has already approved the project for shifting the
lions and have donated funds to develop the 200 sq km area in Palpur
Kuno in Madhya Pradesh about a year back to accommodate Gir lions there.
The population of the lions
is said to have increased in the recent times but the territories of
lions have steadily begun to dwindle due to a conflict between development
and preservation.
The Gir in Junagadh is
a major draw with tourists both national and international flocking
to see the lion king in its natural habitat.
The state government is
however sensitive to such a proposal and is in fact very reluctant to
part with the animals which have been preserved with responsibility
and pride in the Gir.
From the ecological aspect,
the 182 sq km land near Barda hills in Porbandar is the best alternative
habitat for the increasing lion population. However officials are treading
a safe line and say the social aspects in Barda are very compelling.
"There is a large maldhari
population which has settled down in Barda. Atleast 10,000 maldhari
families have settled down and resettling them is a tall task by any
stretch of imagination," an official said. However the Population Habitat
Viability Survey carried out in Barda is very positive, as a lion habitat
already existed there.
Officials say that lessons
should be learnt from the incident that took place in the early 1950’s
at the Chandraprabha Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. "A pride of five to
seven lions had been shifted to the Chandraprabha Sanctuary but had
disappeared within a period of six months. It is not known whether the
pride had been poached by hunters or had been unable to adjust to the
new habitat, as no investigations were carried out then," an official
said. Concerns have been raised that any such experiment could lead
to a similar tragedy.
Forest minister Kanji Patel
when asked about recreating the habitat in Barda said the proposal is
under consideration of the state government. However the social angles
may well compel the state government to relent to the Centre’s plans.
Officials while conceding
that the Kuno has adequate space for the lion are unsure whether a proper
habitat can be created within a short period of one year.
"The fact whether there
is adequate prey for the lions in the sanctuary is not known, also neither
it is known whether there is adequate forest cover suitable for the
lions," the source said. But what may be the most challenging aspect
is the cultural support.
"It took a period of five
to ten years to get cooperation from the maldharis in Gir and to bring
about an awareness and consciousness for conservation," the source added.
