In the past one year, there has been not a single incident of lion poaching in and around the only abode of Asiatic lions — Gir Forest. However, during the period, as many as 66 lions died in Junagadh, Amreli and Gir Somnath districts, where Asiatic lions are found in its natural habitat.
Gujarat’s Forest & Environment Minister Ganapat Vasava informed the State legislative Assembly during a Question Hour that of the 66 dead lions, 55 died natural deaths, three were ran over by speeding train near Pipavav Port in Amreli district and eight others were died due to mishaps like falling into open well or road accident.
The question was raised in the House by Congress MlA Punja Vansh from Una town which falls under newly carved Gir Somnath district, which was earlier part of Junagadh district.
“Not a single lion was poached last year,” Vasava said adding that because of the adequate vigilance in the territory where generally lions stroll in the Gir Sanctuary as well as surrounding areas, incident of poaching averted.
Out of the 66 dead, 21 were adult males, while 16 were lionesses and 29 cubs, he informed. As per the 2011 census, there were total 411 lions in the Gir forest. “Of these, around 114 lions are also found in the surrounding areas of Gir forest due to increase in their population,” said the Forest Minister.
During the discussion on the topic, Vasava informed the House that the State Government is in the process to construct fence along the of railway tracks where these lions are usually spotted to stop unnatural death of the felines.
Besides underpasses beneath these tracks will be constructed to facilitate the big cats to go across and trainings for loco-pilots and guards was conducted to minimise incidents of trains running over the lions. "Signboards have been put at such rail routes to avoid accidents," he said adding that, the forest department is taking local people in confidence in order to conserve Asiatic lions.
It is worth mentioning that in the year 2007 as many as eight lions were poached and in that year unnatural deaths of the Asiatic lions were whooping 32 that include six incidents of electrocution, five died due to fall in open wells, one due to road accidents and 12 for some other reasons.
Especially, after the poaching incidents came into light, the state government started taking precautionary measures to protect lions in the areas.