The recent flash floods in Gujarat have taken a debilitating toll on its rich wildlife. As many as 10 lions, many blue bulls (Nil Gai) and spotted deer besides other wild animals have drowned in the floods, especially due to the overflowing of River Shetrunji in Saurashtra region.
In a report submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment, the State forest department said, “Till July 2 this year, carcasses of 10 lions, 1,670 blue bulls, 87 spotted deer, nine black bucks and six wild boars were recovered.”
Cyclonic depression leading to heavy rainfall of about 26 inches within a short span of six hours in the catchments in Dhari, Bagasara and Kukavav taluka of Amreli district on June 26 caused flash floods in the Shetrunji River
resulting in huge loss of lives of people, property and wildlife, said the report.
Flash floods triggered by torrential rains also killed more than 40 people in Gujarat even as thousands of people had to be evacuated in the last week of June.
Talking to The Pioneer, Gujarat’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife) SC Pant said all the 10 lions were killed outside the Gir Sanctuary in Amreli and Bhavnagar districts, from where River Shetrunji flows. Of the 10 lions, four were killed in Amreli district and six in Bhavnagar district.
On the positive side though, the forest officials were able to locate more than 80 lions roaming freely in the two districts following the flash floods in the Saurashtra region.
According to Pant, the Shetruji River bed is known as lion corridor outside Gir Sanctuary where nearly 100 lions outside the Sanctuary have settled down. “Nearly 300 people were deployed to find out the total number of wild animals after rain halted in the area,” he added.
Some lions were found in weak health and under stress, he said, adding, “They were supplemented with necessary treatment and food by the staff involved in the operation. Now they are moving freely and safely and there is plenty of prey for them.”
Postmortems were also conducted by veterinary doctors on the carcasses of the lions and later on, they were cremated. As far as other animals are concerned, they were buried in the presence of forest officials. large number of carcasses of blue bulls was found in the Shetrunji Dam near Palitana town as they drained along with the water of River Shetrunji in the dam.
The forest department officials with the help of NGOs and the local villagers could locate 17 lions in Savarkundala area, 27 lions in liliya-Chandgadh-Krakach area of Amreli district and 40 in Bhavnagar district during search and rescue operations.