According to official documents, Gujarat has been opposing Madhya Pradesh’s request of seeking lions from Gir National Park from last five years. Now the MP government is seeking help from Centre in getting Asiatic lions from Gujarat’s Gir.
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A query filed by wildlife activist Ajay Dubey through Right To Information (RTI) received a response in a letter. In the letter, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that the MP forest department and Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) feel that the process of shifting of the lions can be started immediately.
The letter also stated that it has requested to issue necessary measures for the shifting of lions from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh.
However, according a press release, the Gujarat government wishes to work under guidelines and framework of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) before releasing the lions.
As per the standard framework, Gujarat government is determined to maintain the forest by waiting for completion of studies that will redefine relocation guidelines by IUCN.
Supreme Court: “The species should have a second home to save it from extinction, due to catastrophes like epidemic, large forest fire, etc.”
The Supreme Court had directed in April, 2013 shifting of some lions from Gir to MP by October, 2013
The Madhya Pradesh government had chosen Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Sheopur district of Gwalior division as a second home for over 500 Asiatic lions. But not a single lion has been shifted so far.
As per the documents acquired by Ajay Dubey through RTI, about Rs. 14.84 crore has been spent by the Madhya Pradesh government in translocation of 1,543 families from 24 villages of the area to pave way for lions entry into the sanctuary.
“The central government must issue a direction to ensure lions from Gir are shifted to MP at the earliest.”
Ajay Dubey, wildlife activist
In a meeting that took place in September last year, the matter of shifting of lions had cropped up. The discussion was attended by representatives of Gujarat and MP governments along with a renowned wildlife scientist.
Source: PTI
