Against the backdrop of four unnatural deaths of Asiatic lions in Amreli district of Gujarat in a short span of one month, the State forest department has decided to give training to Railway drivers and guards on how to be cautious when trains pass through lion territory in the proximity of Gir forest. Three out of four lions were mowed down by Pipavav Port bound goods train.
Highly placed sources in the State forest department said that during Tuesday and Wednesday a series of meetings were held between Railways and the State forest officials to protect Asiatic lions near its only abode — Gir Sanctuary. Pipavav Port is hardly 40 km from the Gir Forest.
“A training camp will be conducted as Sasan for drivers and guards deputed for Pipavav Port bound goods train as well as other passenger trains. They would also be informed with minute details on the areas where movement of Asiatic lions has been reported.
The forest department has already decided to deploy bit-guard at every 3,500 meter along the Pipavav-Dhasa Railway line, where maximum movement of lions has been reported. A top official said that already the staff has been told to reduce the speed of train on the Railway line and co-operate with the forest officials. “We are also considering to increase guards on goods train considering the importance of Asiatic lions,” said an official seeking anonymity.
Meanwhile, the forest department has taken a decision to file police complaint against driver of the train that killed a lion cub last week near Bhammar village in Savarkundla belt. Drivers of seven trains that passed through this area on that night are to be questioned. Earlier, the department had filed complaint in Rajula court following killings of two lionesses in the last week of January.
On Tuesday evening, a decomposed body of around eight year old lion was found near Khambha town in Amreli district, which is also in the proximity of Pipavav Port. Sources in the state forest department denied possibility of train hit, in the death. However, the carcass has been sent for post-mortem.
At a time when the state forest department fight in the apex court against translocation of some Asiatic lions in Madhya Pradesh, the incidents of four unnatural deaths of lions has become a cause of concern. Such incidents used to occur inside the Gir Sanctuary around 15 years back, but due to enhancement in vigilance the state forest department could avert lion killings due to train hit. As per the last lion census, the number of big-cats in Gujarat was 411 that include 97 males, 162 females and 152 cubs.