Identify problems in lion conservation: Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court on Thursday directed the state government, amicus curiae Hemang Shah, railways, and other concerned parties, to identify the problems and bottlenecks that affect the proper conservation of Asiatic Lions in Gir. The court was hearing a suo-motu PIL initiated by the HC over the rising number of lion deaths in the state.

The division bench of Justice SR Brahmbhatt and Justice AG Uraizee clarified that after the problems at the ground level are identified, the court would form a high-power committee consisting of all the stakeholders including collectors, electricity department, railways, amicus curiae, and local citizens, to look into the problems, seek solutions, and implement the same.

The bench has asked the contending parties to submit details of the identified problems in lion conservation and preservation prevailing in the Gir area and any probable solution for the same by February 27. Amicus curiae Hemang Shah, during the hearing of the case, raised the issue of lack of parapet wall around wells in the area, a major reason for lion deaths, along with illegal electric fencing done by farmers to protect their farms. Additional advocate general PK Jani, who appeared for the state government, pointed out a practical difficulty in construction of parapet walls around open wells. The AAG said farmers are not under any legal obligation to construct a parapet wall around open wells and the state is trying to request and persuade the farmers to construct the parapet wall by offering subsidy.

Following this, the court has asked the state government to find out the number of open wells in the area.

It also said the local authorities have powers to make parapet walls mandatory in the area by issuing notification in this regard. The court also directed the government to invite the suggestions of local inhabitants through the collectors for better conservation of lions and to understand the practical difficulties.

Elevated railway corridor a need in Gir

Yagnik submitted that there is a need to construct an elevated railway corridor for the 54 km stretch passing through the Gir forest to avoid lion deaths. He argued that the same has been done in Kanha, Jim Corbett, and Sundarban. He argued that when government can construct elevated corridor for metro and bullet train, why can't it construct the same for saving the lions. The suggestion was appreciated by the counsel for railways Ramnandan Sing, who submitted that he will pass on the message to railway officials.

No elevated corridor in any national park

A source privy to the case told DNA there is no elevated corridor in Kanha, Sundarbans, Jim Corbett or any other national park.

The source also clarified that constructing an elevated corridor running over 50 km will take years to complete and will further destroy the wildlife. Besides, the source added, the permission for construction cannot be permitted in Gir forest area.

RAILWAY ACCIDENTS ALSO MAJOR CAUSE OF DEATHS

• Advocate Anand Yagnik on Thursday submitted before the court that mining, both legal and illegal, as well as the railway tracks passing through the Gir forest are the major reasons for the death of lions. 
   
• He said there is rampant mining of limestone in  and around Gir forest, which feeds the cement industries, that must be put to an end to bring down deaths. He said there have been cases where lion deaths occurred due to trains passing through forest.