Gujarat govt announces new initiatives for Asiatic lions conservation

The Gujarat government Tuesday announced a range of new initiatives for the conservation of the Asiatic lions, including building a state-of-the-art hospital in Sasan-Gir to treat them as well as other wildlife. The hospital, to be built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, will have a laboratory to conduct various tests to ascertain the cause of infections among animals, Gujarat Forest Minister Ganpat Vasava said Tuesday.

The announcement came in the wake of the deaths of 27 lions in and around Gir Wildlife Sanctuary during the last two months due to infighting, pneumonia, Canine Distemper Virus and Protozoa infection. Vasava made the announcement after attending the 14th meeting of the State Board for Wildlife in Gandhinagar.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who chaired the meet, sanctioned Rs 350 crore for implementing various initiatives for the long-term conservation of lions in the state, Vasava told reporters after the meeting. "The state government will spend Rs 350 crore towards protection and conservation of lions. We will build a state-of-the-art hospital in Sasan-Gir at a cost of Rs 100 crore. This hospital will also have a laboratory to conduct various tests" Vasava told reporters.

To run the animal hospital and laboratory, the CM has approved to set up a separate Veterinary Cadre, for which around 120 experts and technicians will be recruited, said Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Rajiv Kumar Gupta. Other measures include deployment of drones to keep a watch on lions' movements, installing a camera network in Gir forest, building eight new rescue centres, deployment of 33 Rapid Response Teams in the forest and recruitment of 100 'trackers' to keep an eye on lions, said Vasava. "To increase the prey base for lions, we will open four new breeding centres for these animals (such as nilgai and antelopes).

We have also planned to create vast grasslands inside the sanctuary for lions," said Vasava. He added that a dedicated ambulance service for lions and a 24-hour helpline, for getting vital information from the public about lions, will also be launched soon. Vasava also announced that Gujarat will get five new safari parks, including a lion safari park near Gandhinagar. "Apart from the lion safari park, a Tiger safari park would come up near Kevadia in Narmada district. We have also planned leopard safari parks in Bhavnagar, Surat and Dang districts" Vasava said.

He said CM Rupani had instructed the officials to chalk out a plan to save some of the endangered bird species of Gujarat, such as Lesser Floricans, Great Indian Bustards and vultures.

(With inputs from agencies.)