Efforts are on in full swing for the proposed translocation of lions from Gir to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh. While the 12-member committee set up by Environment Ministry is discussing on the technical aspects of translocation, Madhya Pradesh forest department has roped in international trainers from Malaysia, to tutor its staff on lion conservation and its habitat management.
Notwithstanding, Gujarat continues to express its objections saying that not only the experts from Gujarat have been ignored in the MoEF committee, most of the existing members specialise on tiger conservation. Certain wildlife experts also doubt on the ultimate success of the initiatives.
Regardless of the objections, the Environment Ministry is already on the job, after the Supreme Court’s directive on translocation of Gir lions to Kuno. The technical committee chaired by Additional Director General (wildlife), has experts from Wildlife Institute of India, Wildlife Trust of India besides Chief Wildlife wardens from Gujarat and MP.
“The committee that had its first meeting last week is discussing on the number of lions that can be translocated, individual animals to be selected, monitoring implementation plans prior to translocation and submission of regular progress report to the Ministry,” sources said. The team will also provide technical guidance and expertise to both the states in the process.
Keeping pace with the initiatives of MoEF, efforts are on to provide state of the art training to the local staff in Kuno. It has a core area of 344 sq km flanked by 900 sq km of buffer, with a good prey base making it a potential site for relocation, pointed out a senior MP forest official.
The trainers from World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), Malaysia will teach the MP staff ways to improve the habitat including augmenting of water sources, eradication of weeds, development and restoration of grasslands. Other issues including stepping up of protection infrastructure with patrolling and anti-poaching measures, research and monitoring. Mitigation of man-animal conflicts, and inoculation of domestic cattle in and around Kuno Palpur against contagious diseases are also on the training agenda.
Meanwhile, MoEF sources informed that Gujarat government in a letter to the Ministry has pointed fingers against the committee’s meeting on Monday, especially when its review petition against Supreme Court’s decision against translocation issue is still pending.