The 9 Core Issues Affecting Safety of Asiatic Lions in India

23 Asiatic lions died unexpectedly in Gujarat in September and October last year because of a sudden bout of the Canine Distemper Virus. The incident again triggered the issue of safety of the growing population of the lions and finding a second home for them.

At present the Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only place in the world where you can see the Asiatic Lions. The endangered animals have bounced back from imminent extinction, thanks to the efforts of the government, and the forest department. However, they are still endangered and containing more than 600 lions in a single habitat is neither feasible nor advisable.

While a second home for the lions is still nowhere in the picture, the state High Court, in answer to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2018, asked the forest department to address the issue of the safety of the lions and had appointed Hemang Shah, a senior advocate as amicus curiae in the matter.

Also Read: 23 Lions Now Dead In Gir Because of Canine Distemper Virus

Shah has now submitted his report to the court and the most pertinent issues he observed that threaten the Asiatic lion population of Gir national park are,

#1 Open Wells

Open wells have always posed a danger to the lions in Gujarat with regular cases of drowning reported every few months. In January this year a lioness was found dead in an open well, 40 km from Gir’s protected area. Her post mortem report showed that she kept clawing to try and stay afloat.
Gir and its vicinity had more than 50,000 open wells at one time. Now while most have been covered, around 10,000 still remain open and are a threat to the animals.

Also Read: In a First, Lion Gives Birth through In-Vitro Fertilisation

#2 Railway Tracks and Trains

About 20 goods train run through the forested areas of Gir during night time. This puts the lions at risk and incidents of the wild cat being hit by a train are not uncommon. Last December 3 lions died in Borala village in Savarkundla taluka in Amreli district while 6 of them were trying to cross the tracks. There are 100 or so wild lions that have become permanent residents of this area so any train passing through the corridor is a potential threat.

The report by Shah suggests moving the tracks beyond the 10 km zone. A proposal for elevated corridor does not look feasible here as per the report as that would involve more construction work and disruption of the forest environment.

#3 Illegal electric fencing

Illegal electric fencing not only violates the Wildlife Protect Act of India but also the Electricity Act 2003 which can lead to imprisonment of up to 3 years. In 2017 there were 6 incidents recorded of lion deaths due to electrification in areas around Gir including the death of a pregnant lioness. But till date, such accidental electrocution deaths of the lions has been treated leniently, with the farmers released on bail and no strict action taken against them or the illegal construction of the fences. From the farmer’s perspective, the fences are an assurance that their crop will remain safe from wild raids. It is therefore a situation which needs better strategies to keep both the farmer’s crop and animals safe.

Also Read: 5 Facts You Need to Know About the Asiatic Lion  

#4 Roads Passing Through the Forest

About 10 important roads pass through the Gir forest connecting Junagadh with Amreli, Sasan with Talala, Visavadar with Dhari and several other small and medium towns on the periphery of the sanctuary area. The vehicular traffic causes noise pollution too, adding to the problems. While night bans have been placed to vehicular traffic, the roads are still a point of contention as they directly increase the chances of people, vehicles and animals coming into contact.   

#5 Mining and Excavation

There are concerns about the mining activity going on around the Mitiyala Wildlife sanctuary in the Gir forested area. The stone quarries here cause water and air pollution. Additionally, there are no protection walls constructed around the quarries to save lions or other wild animals from falling into the deep trenches dug here. “It is quite surprising as to how these entities have ‘managed’ to secure permissions and approvals. All such stone quarry sites should be closed down with immediate effect irrespective of their permissions and approvals. All such approvals should be cancelled.” says the report.

Also Read: Photos Saluting the Lion Queens of India

#6 Illegal Lion Shows

A surprising new issue that has surfaced in Gir in the last couple of years is the illegal shows that locals have begun to conduct for the growing number of tourists and the chance to earn quick money by guaranteeing a lion sighting. Six men, including a juvenile, were held by the forest department in May this year after they were allegedly caught red-handed organising an illegal lion show in revenue area Veraval taluka of Gir Somnath district. The act, if not strictly curbed now, can only result in serious conflicts in the future.

#7 Appointment of Trackers and Forest Guards

There are 160 wildlife trackers in Gir and other protected areas where lions roam. The only equipment they carry are torches, and axes used to cut the shrubs on their way as they walk deep into the jungles trying to spot the lions for tourists as well as general observations on behalf of the forest department. Trackers are an essential link to the welfare of the lions and more of them the better.
The Gujarat government has also initiated a process to establish a new Shetrunji Wildlife Division outside the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, besides the Gir East and Gir West division which function under the Junagadh Wildlife Circle. 104 more forest officer appointments will ensure that the endangered lions get much more protection.

Also Read: Endangered Lions Drown in Flash Flood in Gujarat

#8 Maintaining Food Chain and Water

Since 1974, the population of herbivorous in Gir forest has been on the rise. In 2013, the population of ungulates was estimated to be 1,26,893 or 76.49 animals per square kilometres, which is a decent number. Needless to say, a strong base of ungulates can reduce the man-animal conflict by reducing depredation of livestock by lions within Gir forest.

Also Read: The Big Cats of Sasan Gir

#9 Radio Collaring

Since June 11 up to now, more than 25 representative lions of as many prides have been fitted with radio collar devices imported from Germany. This essential tool will allow the foresters to monitor a pride’s activity and their location with ease. It will also aid for rapid rescue operations when needed.

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Reference

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