When Sasan Gir National Park in Gujarat the last bastion of the Asiatic Lion was first recognized as a protected reserve in the 70s it was impertinent that the homes of the pastoral community living within the forest be shifted. Many such villages were thus moved further away from the core area. Over the years, the gradual increase in lion population proved that the decision to minimize human interference, helped protect a rare species. But now, some experts say that as the lions number increase, once again competing population of livestock and wild ungulates in and around Gir is overcrowding the area.
Asiatic Lions no more Critically Endangered
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has just demeaned the threatened status of the Asiatic Lion. Observing the healthy population of the animal in the wild, the organization has re-categorized the Asiatic lions in its Redlist of threatened species from Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN).
Pangolin Rescued from a Well in Gujarat
A Pangolin trapped in a well, was rescued by a team of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park officials in Junagadh district of Gujarat. Pangolins are unique, rare mammals frequently sighted in the Gir forests. Once deemed endangered, the rare animals are now listed as Not Threatened by IUCN.