Almost a year after the apex court rejected review petition seeking reconsideration of the earlier order of allowing the Asiatic lions to Madhya Pradesh, the Gujarat Government has eventually filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court against translocation of Asiatic lions from its only abode Gir forest to Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
The majestic Asiatic lions are found only in Gujarat — Gir forest and surrounding areas. The Union Government has taken a move to shift some of the pairs of lions to Madhya Pradesh with a view that in case of epidemic or other reasons, there are possibility of extinction of the Asiatic lions as its territory is limited to a very small area in Gujarat. However, Gujarat had challenged the decision in the court, but court also endorsed the Central Government’s idea of translocation of some of the pairs from Gujarat to MP to conserve the royal animal.
Subsequently, the Gujarat Government had filed a review petition seeking reevaluation of the court’s order given on April 15, 2013 in favour to shifting some lions to Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary and also directed to form a committee of experts for the implementation of its order in six months. After hearing both sides on review petition, the SC had dismissed it in October, 2013.
Ever since the move of shifting lions in MP has been initiated, the Gujarat Government is opposing the proposed translocation on the grounds that the big-cats have possible threat of poaching, gun culture in Kuno Palpur area. The State Government also raised the concern of inadequate rehabilitation and availability of prey base. The State forest officials says that the State Government cannot directly deny that it is not willing to shift lions to MP, but it is raising concern over the move on the various possible threats on the lions in Kuno Palpur area.