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#4012

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Thu Mar 29, 2012 4:05 am
Subject: Leopard terror visavadar

kotecha_kishore

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29-03-2012

Leopard terror visavadar

Divya Bhaskar

http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-leopard-terror-visavadar-3029612.html

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/03/leopard-terror-visavadar.html

દીપડાનો આંતક : ઉચ્ચતરીય ટીમ આવી

અગ્ર મુખ્ય વન સંરક્ષક સહિતનાં અધિકારીઓની સમીક્ષા : શ્રમિકો પર હુમલાનાં દોષનો ટોપલો લેબર વિભાગ પર ઢોળાયો

છેલ્લા એકાદ માસ દરમ્યાન જૂનાગઢ અને અમરેલી જિલ્લામાં પરપ્રાંતીય મજૂરોનાં બાળકો પર દીપડાનાં હુમલાનાં વધેલા બનાવોને પગલે ગાંધીનગરથી અગ્ર મુખ્ય વનસંરક્ષક સાસણ દોડી આવ્યા છે. તેઓએ દીપડાની વસ્તીને અંકુશમાં લેવા તેની નસબંધીની વિચારણા થઇ રહી હોવાનું જણાવ્યું હતું. આ સાથે મજૂરોની સલામતી માટે લેબર વિભાગની ઉદાસીનતા પણ કારણભૂત હોવાનું ઉમેર્યું હતું.

છેલ્લા થોડા દિવસોમાં ગિર જંગલની હદને અડીને આવેલા ગામોમાં શેરડીની મજૂરી માટે આવેલા પરપ્રાંતીય મજૂરોનાં બાળકોને દીપડા ઉઠાવી જવાનાં અનેક બનાવો નોંધાયા. એક સપ્તાહમાંજ ૪ બાળકો દીપડાનો ‘કોિળયો’ બન્યાં છે. જેને પગલે અગ્ર મુખ્ય વનસંરક્ષક એસ. કે. ગોયલની આગેવાની હેઠળ વનવિભાગની ઉચ્ચસ્તરીય ટીમ સાસણ દોડી આવી છે. વનવિભાગનાં સ્થાનિક અધિકારીઓ પાસેથી તેઓએ વીગતો મેળવી હતી.

બાદમાં એસ. કે. ગોયલે જણાવ્યું હતું કે, બહારનાં રાજ્યોમાંથી અંદાજે ૨૦ હજાર મજૂરો ગિરની આસપાસનાં વેરાવળ, સૂત્રાપાડા, કોડીનાર, તાલાલા, ઊના જેવા વિસ્તારોમાં શેરડીનાં ખેતરોમાં મજૂરીએ આવે છે. આ મજૂરોની તમામ જવાબદારી તેમનાં મુકાદમો, વાડી માલિક અને લેબર વિભાગની હોય છે. ખાસ કરીને પરપ્રાંતીય મજૂરોનાં રહેણાંકની વ્યવસ્થા તેમજ સુરક્ષાની ચકાસણી કરવાની જવાબદારી લેબર વિભાગની હોય છે. તેઓનું રજીસ્ટર પણ તેમણે ચકાસવાનું હોય. આ અંગે વનવિભાગે લેબર વિભાગને અનેકવખત જાણ કરી છે. પરંતુ હજુ સુધી એ દિશામાં કોઇજ કાર્યવાહી થઇ નથી.

દીપડાની વસ્તીને અંકુશમાં લેવા માટે તેની નસબંધી અંગે પણ વિચારાઈ રહ્યાં હોવાનું જણાવ્યું હતું.

૬૯ માનવભક્ષી દીપડાને આજીવન કેદ

મુખ્ય વન સંરક્ષક આર. એલ. મીણાએ જણાવ્યું હતું કે, હાલ જૂનાગઢનાં સક્કરબાગ ઝૂમાં ૫૭ અને સાસણમાં ૧૨ મળી કુલ ૬૯ માનવભક્ષી દીપડાને આજીવન કેદમાં રખાયા છે. આ દીપડાઓએ અત્યાર સુધીમાં ૭૦ થી વધુ માનવીનો ભોગ લીધો હતો.

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#4013

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Thu Mar 29, 2012 4:06 am
Subject: Lioness attacks young man during Lion Show

kotecha_kishore

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29-03-2012

Lioness attacks young man during Lion Show

Divya Bhaskar

http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-young-man-injured-for-ran-behind-group-3027853.html?OF2=

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/03/lioness-attacks-young-man-during-lion.html

ટોળાં પાછળ સિંહણ દોડ્યા બાદ પડી જતાં યુવાનને ઇજા

- માતરવાણિયા-અવાણિયા ગામે સિંહ પરિવારે ધામા નાંખતાં બનેલી ઘટના

માળિયા હાટીના તાલુકાનાં માતરવાણિયાની સીમમાં બે સિંહણે ૩ બચ્ચાં સાથે ધામા નાંખ્યા બાદ આજે આ સિંહ પરિવાર અવાણીયાની સીમમાં આવ્યો હતો. પરંતુ તેને જોવા લોકોનાં ટોળાં એકઠા થઇ ગયા બાદ કોઇએ કાંકરીચાળો કરતાં સિંહણ ટોળાં પાછળ દોડી હતી. જેને પગલે એક યુવાન પડી જતાં તેને ઇજા થઇ હતી.

બનાવ અંગે પ્રાપ્તવીગતો મુજબ, માળિયા હાટીના તાલુકાનાં માતરવાણિયા ગામની સીમમાં સિંહ પરિવારે ધામા નાંખ્યા છે. આ ગૃપમાં બે સિંહણ અને ૩ બચ્ચાં છે. ગતરાત્રિ દરમ્યાન આ પરિવાર વહિરતો જંગલમાંથી બહાર નીકળીને અવાણીયા ગામની સીમ તરફ આવ્યો હતો. જ્યાં સીમમાં કામ કરતા લોકો જોઇ જતાં વાત ગામમાં ફેલાઇ હતી. અને લોકોનાં ટોળાં સિંહ દર્શન માટે ઉમટી પડ્યા હતા. સવારે ૮ વાગ્યા સુધીમાં આશરે ૪૦૦ થી ૫૦૦ લોકોનું ટોળું એકત્રિત થઇ ગયું હતું. જેઓનાં શોરબકોર અને એકાદ વ્યક્તિએ કરેલા કાંકરીચાળાને પગલે સિંહણ વફિરી હતી. અને ટોળાં તરફ દોટ મૂકતાં એક યુવાન પડી જતાં તેને સામાન્ય ઇજાઓ થઇ હતી.

બનાવની જાણ થતાં વનવિભાગનો કાફલો ઘટનાસ્થળે દોડી ગયો હતો. જોકે, દિવસ ઉગી જતાં સિંહ પરિવારે એક સ્થળે છાંયડાની ઓથ લીધી હતી. દરમ્યાન બપોર સુધીમાં હજારેક લોકોનું ટોળું એકત્રિત થઇ જતાં વનવિભાગે અનિચ્છનીય બનાવ ન બને તે માટે ટોળાંને વોખેરવા પોલીસને જાણ કરતાં પોલીસ કાફલો ઘટનાસ્થળે પહોંચ્યો હતો. દરમ્યાન દિવસ ઢળતાં વનવિભાગનો કાફલો સિંહ પરિવારને જંગલ તરફ દોરી જવા માટે માળિયાથી રવાના થયાનું આર.એફ.ઓ. અપારનાથીએ જણાવ્યું હતું.

1 of 1 Photo(s)

DB 29-03-2012.jpg

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#4014

From: Satya Sinha <sinhasp@...>
Date: Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:58 am
Subject: Lion Safari in Uttar Pradesh

sinhasp

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Dear All,
I do not hink that there will be any problem to establish lion Safari in Uttar
Pradesh and feel that like Devalia safari zoo lions will be released into the
safari which we saw in Devaliya area.People in a closed van or car with one
forest person and see the lion.So i do not think that any lion is need from Gir
forest.They can get from different zoos even from Sakr baugh zoo which is now
have good number of lions.
Dr SP Sinha
Dehradun

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#4015

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Thu Mar 29, 2012 1:48 pm
Subject: IUCN cautions state against poaching of lions

kotecha_kishore

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29-03-2012

IUCN cautions state against poaching of lions

Times of India By Himanshu Kaushik

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/IUCN-cautions-state-against-poaching-of-lions/articleshow/12448201.cms

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/03/iucn-cautions-state-against-poaching-of.html

While shifting the Asiatic lions from critically endangered species category to endangered species in its Red List, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at the same time has also cautioned the forest department against poaching threats to the species.

The IUCN Red List report stated that the subpopulation of lions is increasing and is considered stable now in Gujarat. The number of lions is also reported to be spreading beyond the boundaries of the protected sanctuary of Gir to satellite townships.

Taking note of the 2007 incidents of poaching, the report further added that constant monitoring is required to ensure that poaching levels do not increase. At least eight lions were poached in 2007. However, the IUCN red list has in its report stated that 34 animals were reported killed in 2007. A senior officer said that this was a very high figure as only eight lions were poached.

However, experts say that this was a major achievement for the conservation efforts of the state government. Ravi Chellam, an expert on Lions, says, "The species is dispersing outside the protected area, and the population is increasing. This was adequate to list the lion as endangered species from critically endangered.

Y V Jhala, head of the department Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, said "The management's efforts towards the conservation of the species are planned with the intention to reduce the threat perception towards it. For the Asiatic lions, the success of conservation has not only led to increase in population of lions but has also increased the dispersal range of the animal. It is indeed a feather in the cap for the state that even the IUCN has also recognized its conservation efforts." He said that the next target of the state government should be to have the animal listed as a threatened species.

Additional principal chief conservator of forest Dr H S Singh says, "The lion as a whole is listed in vulnerable category. But it is good news for the state as the Asiatic lion was listed as endangered species." He said that not just the population was increasing, but the lions have formed six other satellite areas where the population is now stable. These include far off areas of the coastal region, Bhavnagar, Girnar and Miytala, among others."

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#4016

From: Bharat Jethva <bharatjethva2000@...>
Date: Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:09 pm
Subject: Photography of bustard now covered under Wildlife Act

bharatjethva...

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Dear All,

This is a good sign for conservation of GIBs in Kutc. I have seen many people being little over enthusiastic and taking photographs of the species by approaching them very closely. This happens to both, GIBs and Lesser Floricans.

Many complements to DCF Kutch-West.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIA&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&AW=1333032660482

Photography of bustard now covered under Wildlife Act

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: The forest department has restricted the movement of people in the Naliya grasslands, a habitat of the Great Indian Bustard. This is because the movement of people was too close to the birds and created disturbance for them.
Deputy conservator of forests, Kutch (West) division, P A Vihol said that recently the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) issued guidelines for the Great Indian Bustard Recovery Programme.

The guidelines stated that “unethical photography during the breeding season often acts as a constant source of disturbance to the bustards. Incidents of such photography have been reported in Naliya grasslands. Due to the lack of legislative enforcement and protective measures in core breeding areas, such direct threats on Great Indian Bustard population continues unrestricted.”

Vihol said, “In order to reduce such direct threats to this critically endangered and Schedule-I species in Naliya grasslands, particularly during their breeding season, we are issuing a caution note to the overenthusiastic and unethical photographers to restrict their movements near the sanctuary areas, breeding and nesting grounds. The breeding season spans from April to October.”
He cautioned that “any person found to be disturbing the birds during their breeding or even its nesting shall be prosecuted under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.”

According to officials, the act was there in place, but no such caution was issued and people use to walk very close to the birds. Hence, a decision was taken to impose this caution note based on the guidelines of the MoEF.

It has been mentioned in the guidelines that some grassland areas were ploughed during monsoon and post-monsoon season for planting better species of grass and their growth. Such activities also create disturbance to nests, eggs or chicks of the Great Indian Bustard, said a senior official, adding that the department will also impose a curb on such activities.

CAN’T SHOOT AT SIGHT

Best wishes

Bharat Jethva

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#4017

From: Jaidev Dhadhal <jaidevjai@...>
Date: Thu Mar 29, 2012 4:02 pm
Subject: Re: Photography of bustard now covered under Wildlife Act

dhadhaljaidev

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On Thu, Mar 29, 2012 at 8:39 PM, Bharat Jethva <bharatjethva2000@...> wrote:

Dear All,

This is a good sign for conservation of GIBs in Kutc. I have seen many people being little over enthusiastic and taking photographs of the species by approaching them very�closely. �This happens to both, GIBs and Lesser Floricans.

Many complements to DCF Kutch-West.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIA&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&AW=1333032660482�

Photography of bustard now covered under Wildlife Act

TIMES NEWS NETWORK�

Ahmedabad: The forest department has restricted the movement of people in the Naliya grasslands, a habitat of the Great Indian Bustard. This is because the movement of people was too close to the birds and created disturbance for them.�
��Deputy conservator of forests, Kutch (West) division, P A Vihol said that recently the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) issued guidelines for the Great Indian Bustard Recovery Programme.�

��The guidelines stated that �unethical photography during the breeding season often acts as a constant source of disturbance to the bustards. Incidents of such photography have been reported in Naliya grasslands. Due to the lack of legislative enforcement and protective measures in core breeding areas, such direct threats on Great Indian Bustard population continues unrestricted.��

��Vihol said, �In order to reduce such direct threats to this critically endangered and Schedule-I species in Naliya grasslands, particularly during their breeding season, we are issuing a caution note to the overenthusiastic and unethical photographers to restrict their movements near the sanctuary areas, breeding and nesting grounds. The breeding season�spans from April to October.��
��He cautioned that �any person found to be disturbing the birds during their breeding or even its nesting shall be prosecuted under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.��

��According to officials, the act was there in place, but no such caution was issued and people use to walk very close to the birds. Hence, a decision was taken to impose this caution note based on the guidelines of the MoEF.�

��It has been mentioned in the guidelines that some grassland areas were ploughed during monsoon and post-monsoon season for planting better species of grass and their growth. Such activities also create disturbance to nests, eggs or chicks of the Great Indian Bustard, said a senior official, adding that the department will also impose a curb on such activities.

CAN�T SHOOT AT SIGHT

Best wishes
Bharat Jethva

Otherwise also, in protected areas photography without permit is prohibited under section 28 (1)(b) of the Wildlife Protection Act,1972�and this breach of�requirement of the permit is an offence punishable under section 51�

28. Grant of permit.-(1) The Chief Wild Life Warden may, on application, grant to any person a permit to enter or reside in a sanctuary for all or any of the following purposes, namely :-

(a) investigation or study of wild life and purposes ancillary or incidental thereto;
(b) photography;
(c) scientific research;
(d) tourism;
(e) transaction of lawful business with any person residing in the sanctuary. � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

Jaidev Dhadhal,
(Jaidev Dhadhal)

A/5 Samarpan Flats,

Gulbai Tekara,

Ahmedabad. 380006

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#4018

From: "Dr. Hiren B. Soni" <drhirenbsoni@...>
Date: Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:14 pm
Subject: Good News (Ph.D. Guideship)

drhirenbsoni

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Dear All,

 
By God’s Grace &
Your Wishes, I have been blessed with Ph.D. Guideship in Environmental Science
from Sardar Patel University (SPU), Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India.
 
My thrust areas of Research
are Systematic Zoology (Invertebrates & Vertebrates),
Biodiversity & Conservation, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA),
Ornithology & Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Techniques & Methods, Wetland Biology
(Biodiversity, Ecology, Restoration), Bioremediation (Phytoremediation),
Ecological Statistics, Biodiversity Informatics, and Environmental Modelling.
 
Warm Regards,
 
HB Soni, Ph.D.
M.Sc. (Zoology);
Ph.D. (Environmental Science)
Assistant Professor (Environmental
Biotechnology)
ARIBAS, P.O. Box 61,
New Vidyanagar – 388 121
Contacts:
09426023901; drhirenbsoni@...
URL: www.aribas.edu.in

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#4019

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:21 pm
Subject: No Space in Leopard Jail, Junagadh

kotecha_kishore

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27-03-2012

No Space in Leopard Jail, Junagadh

News4gujarat

http://news4gujarat.com/2012/03/27/no-space-in-leopard-jail-junagadh/

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/03/no-space-in-leopard-jail-junagadh.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=o7v5KqetXcs

So many man-eater leopards are found with every passing day that now there is no room for more leopards in their jail . As a result the forest department has to build more cages in Sakkarbaug Zoo and Sasan Animal Center.

Forest Department arranges special cages to catch the man-eater leopards and also organizes trackers with which it is able to differentiate man-eater leopards from the other. And the officials tries to keep these leopards permanently in the zoo itself. Hence process of making new cages have been started.

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#4020

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:23 pm
Subject: 139 Asiatic lions died in Gujarat in last three years

kotecha_kishore

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29-03-2012

139 Asiatic lions died in Gujarat in last three years

Times of India

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-29/flora-fauna/31253911_1_asiatic-lions-gir-sanctuary-gir-forest-region

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/03/139-asiatic-lions-died-in-gujarat-in.html

Around 139 Asiatic lions, including cubs, died in Gujarat in the last three years (2009 to 2011), the state assembly was informed today.

In a written reply to the question of Congress MLA from Babra, Bavakubhai Nathabhai, forest minister Mangu Patel stated that 139 Asiatic Lions died between 2009-2011.

42, 48 and 49 lions died in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively, which included 54 cubs, Patel said.

The causes were natural death, electrocution, fall into wells, fights between lions out of territorial rivalry or for self-defence, etc. However, none of the lions was the victim of poachers in this period.

As per 2010 census, the Gir Forest Region (which extends beyond the Gir sanctuary) has 411 lions (a rise of 52 over 2005).

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has now shifted the Asiatic lions from "critically endangered species" category to "endangered species".

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#4021

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:23 pm
Subject: 139 lions died in 2009-11 in Gujarat

kotecha_kishore

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30-03-2012

139 lions died in 2009-11 in Gujarat

DNA

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_139-lions-died-in-2009-11-in-gujarat_1669450

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/03/139-lions-died-in-2009-11-in-gujarat.html

A total of 139 lions, lionesses and cubs have died in the last three years, but not a single one of them because of poaching, the state government said in the assembly on Thursday.

Forest minister Mangu Patel said in a written reply in the House that 42 adult lions had died in the last three years - 14 in 2009, 15 in 2010 and 13 in 2010.

“Forty-three lionesses and 54 cubs also died in the three-year period,” the minister said in response to a question by Congress MLA from Babra, Bavku Undhad.

According to Patel, 13 adult lionesses died in 2009, while the number was 16 in 2010 and 14 in 2011. Similarly, a total of 15 lion cubs died in 2009, while the number rose to 17 in 2010 and went up to 22 in 2011.

The minister said that not a single lion death was because of poaching.

“The deaths were caused because of accidentally falling in wells, internal fight between lions, electric shock and some cases in the process of self-defence. Some of the lions died a natural death, but not a single death was caused by poaching,” Patel informed.

In reply to another question, the forest minister said that 60 incidents of humans being attacked by wild animals were reported in Junagadh district in 2011. “Ten persons lost their lives in these attacks, while 54 others were injured,” he said.

Patel said that almost 2,500 domestic animals were killed in attacks by wild animals in Junagadh in the same period.

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#4022

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:24 pm
Subject: Around Town : 139 lions died in 3 years: Minister

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30-03-2012

Around Town : 139 lions died in 3 years: Minister

The Indian Express

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/around-town-139-lions-died-in-3-years-minister/930434/

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/03/around-town-139-lions-died-in-3-years.html

In the last three years, 139 lions, including 54 cubs, have died in the state. State Environment and Forests Minister Mangubhai Patel said this in a written reply to a question by Congress MLA Bhavku Unghad in the Assembly on Thursday.

He said that 42 lions died in 2009, 48 died in 2010 and 49 in 2011. The number of death of adult lions has remained between 27 and 31, while the number of death of cubs has been increasing.

In 2009, 15 cubs had died while next year the figure stood at 17, which further increased to 22 in 2011.

The Minister said the causes were natural death, electrocution, fall into wells, fights between lions out of territorial rivalry or for self-defence, adding that no incident of poaching was reported in this period.

According to the last census, there are 411 lions in the Gir forest region.

Suspended MLAs hold mock session

Gandhinagar:Congress MLAs, who were suspended from the house for the rest of the Budget Session, on Thursday held a mock session in the Assembly committee room and raised several issues against the Narendra Modi government. After suspension for five consecutive days over their demand for dismissal of two BJP MLAs, who were accused of watching obscene pictures in the house, the Opposition MLAs were suspended from the Assembly for the entire session on Wednesday for disrupting the house on various issues like. In the mock Assembly, Congress workers wearing masks of Modi, Speaker Ganpat Vasava, senior ministers Vaju Vala, Anandi Patel, Nitin Patel, Saurabh Patel and two porngate accused MLAs Shankar Chaudhary and Jetha Bharwad acted as the treasury bench. On the other side, suspended Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil, senior MLAs Arjun Modhwadia, Sidharath Patel and others played the role of Opposition.

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#4023

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:25 pm
Subject: Agony of the mimic artist

kotecha_kishore

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30-03-2012

Agony of the mimic artist

Times of India By Neha Lalchandani

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIA&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&AW=1333200545312

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/03/agony-of-mimic-artist.html

Parrots Comprise 50% Of The Wild Bird Trade, But Most Don’t Survive The Ordeal

Did you know that keeping that ubiquitous mitthu at home is illegal? Indian wildlife laws state that trading in and keeping native birds is against the law. But ironically, it is absolutely legal to keep exotic birds in captivity. India has 12 species of parrots, of which eight are regularly traded. In fact, parrots form roughly 50% of the wild bird trade in India.

Chicks are captured across the country in winter and traded between December and June; the adults are traded throughout the year. The most common species is the rose-ringed parakeet while the most preferred species for trade is the Alexandrine parrot, as it has a superior ability to mimic humans and can adapt well to captivity.

Abrar Ahmed, consultant with Traffic India, says rescuing a bird is pointless since once a chick is separated from its parents, it rarely survives. “It is important to stop trade of the bird at the grassroots level. When being transported, the chicks are force-fed and treated in absolutely inhuman ways. Some die even before reaching the market. It is essential that the trade is stopped,” he says.

Since May last year, there have been at least five reported seizures of parakeets in and around Delhi. More than 1,000 birds have been rescued; but rehabilitation schemes hold no promise for their survival. Most of the birds were rescued while they were being transported in state transport buses. “It is important to treat bird trade as an inter-state and international racket. Random occasional raids are not helpful at all. These cases cannot be seen in isolation. In fact, these occasional raids have only made the entire trade go underground,” says Samir Sinha of Traffic.

Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Patna, Lucknow and Kolkata are the hubs of this trade. Delhi plays two roles in the illegal bird trade: while its bird market in Chandni Chowk is an important point where people from various states come to purchase, the city is also a major stopover for birds in transit.

Ahmed says Mumbai receives a large part of the consignment as it is the hub for West Asia. “However, Gujarat is also becoming an important centre and several seizures have been carried out in Ahmedabad. Many birds are being supplied to other countries from here,” he says.

The Nicobar parakeet, Long-tailed parakeet and Derby’s parakeet have been listed as ‘near threatened’ in the International Union for Conservation of Nature list. “Parrots usually nest in tree hollows, but monoculture plantations, lopping of old trees and plantation of exotic species are depriving them of nesting spots, leading to a sharp drop in their numbers. Unless demand for the birds stops, the trade will continue unabated,” Ahmed adds.

THREE MAJOR

SMUGGLED TYPES

Indian wildlife laws have a shocking clause. Caging a native bird is against the law, but keeping exotic species in captivity is perfectly legal. The Alexandrine parrot is the most traded bird in India

ROSE RINGED PARAKEET

Males have distinct thin pink, black neck ring. Found in Indian sub-continent

ALEXANDRINE PARROT

Distinctive maroon shoulder patch. Found in forest patches in India

PLUM HEADED PARROT

Males have plum magenta hood while females have dark violet grey or blue grey hood. Found throughout India

CAN’T TAKE WING: Wildlife activists say rescuing a bird is pointless as once a chick is separated from its parents, there are remote chances of its survival

5 of 5 Photo(s)

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#4024

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:27 pm
Subject: Five leopards caught in one day in Sorath (Junagadh Dist)

kotecha_kishore

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31-03-2012

Five leopards caught in one day in Sorath (Junagadh Dist)

Divya Bhaskar

http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-five-leopard-caught-in-one-day-3038720.html?OF9=

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/03/five-leopards-caught-in-one-day-in.html

વિસાવદરના નાની પિંડાખાઈમાં ત્રણ પાંજરામાં ત્રણ દીપડા કેદ : કોડીનારના સિંધાજમાં પણ એક પુરાયો

કોડીનારનાં સિંધાજ ગામે એક ઓરડીમાં વાછરડીનું નિરાંતે મારણ કરી રહેલી દીપડીને વનવિભાગે પાંજરે પુરી હતી. તાલુકાનાં સિંધાજ ગામનાં કશિનભાઇ જીવાભાઇ કાચેલાની સીમમાં આવેલી વાડીએ માલઢોર બાંધવાની ઓરડીમાં આજે સવારે દીપડીએ પ્રવેશી એક વાછરડીનો શિકાર કરી નિરાંતે મારણની મજિબાની માણી રહી હતી ત્યારે વાડી માલીકને જાણ થતાં જામવાળા વનવિભાગને જાણ કરતાં આરએફઓ પરષોતમનાં માર્ગદર્શન હેઠળ ફોરેસ્ટર નિનામા, પઠાણભાઇ, ધીરૂભાઇ, ડ્રાઇવર રણજીતભાઇ, બુધેચભાઇ, ટ્રેકર ટીમના ચાવડા, ભુપતગીરી, ભરતભાઇ સહિતનાં સ્ટાફે ઘટના સ્થળે દોડી આવી ચાર કલાકની જહેમત બાદ છ વર્ષની દીપડીને પાંજરે પુરવામાં સફળતા મેળવી હતી. પ્રકૃતિ નેચર ક્લબનાં દિનેશગીરી ગૌસ્વામી, જીજ્ઞેશ ગોહિલ પણ મદદમાં જોડાયા હતા.

આદમખોર દીપડો આજીવન કેદમાં

બાળકીને ફાડી ખાનાર આદમખોર દીપડો કાંતીભાઇની વાડી નજીકથી જ પાંજરામાં પૂરાય ગયો હતો. આશરે ૮થી ૯ વર્ષનાં આ દીપડાને જૂનાગઢ સક્કરબાગ ઝુમાં આજીવન કેદમાં મોકલી અપાયેલ હોવાનું આરએફઓ એન.એમ.જાડેજાએ જણાવ્યું હતું.

બે દીપડીઓને સાસણમાં મોકલી

નાની પિંડાખાઇથી એક કિ.મી.નાં અંતરે કાનાવડલા નજીકથી પાંચથી છ વર્ષની દીપડી અને બીજી ચારથી પાંચ વર્ષની દીપડી તેનાંથી ૩૦૦ મીટરનાં અંતરેથી પાંજરામાં પૂરાઇ હતી. જેમાં એક તો કેદ થઈને નિકળી ગયેલી અને ફરી કેદ થતા બન્નેને સાસણ મોકલી છે

એક સાથે ત્રણ દીપડાની ઘટના પ્રથમ

ડીએફઓ ડૉ.કે.રમેશ સાથે ટેલિફોનીક વાતચીતમાં તેમણે કહ્યું હતુ કે, એક સાથે ત્રણ દીપડા પાંજરે પૂરાયા હોય તેવી ગીરનાં ઈતિહાસમાં આ પ્રથમ ઘટના છે. આ દીપડાઓને પકડવા જુદી-જુદી સાત જગ્યાએ પાંજરા ગોઠવવામાં આવ્યા હતા.

1 of 1 Photo(s)

DB 31-03-2012.jpg

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#4025

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Sun Apr 1, 2012 3:41 pm
Subject: Proposed 'Lion Safari' in Akhilesh's native district

kotecha_kishore

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01-04-2012

Proposed 'Lion Safari' in Akhilesh's native district

Ibnlive

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/proposed-lion-safari-in-akhileshs-native-district/981780.html

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/proposed-lion-safari-in-akhileshs.html

Lion Safari -- the dream project of Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav which was shelved by the previous Mayawati regime-- is now being revived by the new Uttar Pradesh government. The project, which was mooted in 2005 in Yadav's native village of Saifai in Etawah district, was put on the back burner under Mayawati government but with SP back at the helm of the affairs, state forest department has started working on it again. "The work has started again on the Lion Safari project to be set up at 50 acres of Fischer forest area. The permission in this regard has been taken from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). Now we are preparing a master-plan for the project and get it approved," Principal Forest Conservator J S Asthana told PTI. The cost of opening the safari in the home district of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was Rs 20 crore in 2005 but has escalated now and would be worked out soon. The CZA has put certain conditions for final approval of the project and work is underway to fulfil them, he said. About the conditions, Ashthana said that CSA had asked the department to first establish a breeding centre for lions so that those brought from outside could be mated here and only the new-borns were left in the safari so that they can adapt the conditions. "We are completing formalities in this regard," he said. The Asiatic lions, which are facing a serious threat of extinction would be given natural breeding atmosphere in the proposed safari in Saifai nestled between the Yamuna and Chambal rivers. (More)

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#4026

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Sun Apr 1, 2012 3:41 pm
Subject: Akhilesh Yadav's native district to get its 'Lion Safari'

kotecha_kishore

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01-04-2012

Akhilesh Yadav's native district to get its 'Lion Safari'

DNA

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_akhilesh-yadav-s-native-district-to-get-its-lion-safari_1670071

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/akhilesh-yadavs-native-district-to-get.html

Lion Safari -- the dream project of Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav which was shelved by the previous Mayawati regime -- is now being revived by the new Uttar Pradesh government.

The project, which was mooted in 2005 in Yadav's native village of Saifai in Etawah district, was put on the back burner under Mayawati government but with SP back at the helm of the affairs, state forest department has started working on it again.

"The work has started again on the Lion Safari project to be set up at 50 acres of Fischer forest area. The permission in this regard has been taken from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). Now we are preparing a master-plan for the project and get it approved," Principal Forest Conservator JS Asthana told PTI.

The cost of opening the safari in the home district of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was Rs20 crore in 2005 but has escalated now and would be worked out soon.

The CZA has put certain conditions for final approval of the project and work is underway to fulfil them, he said.

About the conditions, Ashthana said that CSA had asked the department to first establish a breeding centre for lions so that those brought from outside could be mated here and only the new-borns were left in the safari so that they can adapt the conditions.

"We are completing formalities in this regard," he said.

The Asiatic lions, which are facing a serious threat of extinction would be given natural breeding atmosphere in the proposed safari in Saifai nestled between the Yamuna and Chambal rivers.

These royal beasts were found roaming in south-western Asia and northern India barely 200 years ago and are now confined to a small pocket in Gir forest reserve of Gujarat only, Forest department officials said.

This lion safari in Safai would be a special kind of zoo where the Asiatic lion would be kept for breeding so that the threat of their extinction could be minimised.

Etawah district, officials say, had a remarkable similarity of temperature and humidity, vegetation, ruggedness of the terrain with the Gir protected area that would help in breeding them.

The Yadav's pocketborough already has an airstrip, a grand stadium cum sports complex and a state-of-the-art hospital on the lines of the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow and with the opening of Lion Safari it is likely to emerge as a popular tourist destination, officers involved in the project said.

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#4027

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Mon Apr 2, 2012 10:35 am
Subject: Chief Wild Life Warden Visits affected areas by leopards, Junagadh

kotecha_kishore

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29-03-2012

Chief Wild Life Warden Visits affected areas by leopards, Junagadh

News4gujarat

http://news4gujarat.com/2012/03/29/chief-wild-life-warden-visits-affected-areas-by-leopards-junagadh/

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/chief-wild-life-warden-visits-affected.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pWXV00vgEoU

After increasing number of cases in attacks of man-eater leopards, the chief wild life warden of state visited the affected areas of villages. The leopards has hunted 4 children in last sometime. In last one year total 13 people of nearby villages from Gir, have fallen prey to the leopards.

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#4028

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Mon Apr 2, 2012 10:51 am
Subject: Animals on fast in Junagadh zoo

kotecha_kishore

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02-04-2012

Animals on fast in Junagadh zoo

Divya Bhaskar

http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-animals-on-fast-in-junagadh-zoo-3044504.html?HF-5=

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/animals-on-fast-in-junagadh-zoo.html

વનરાજ સહિતનાં પ્રાણીઓ દર રવિવારે રાખે છે ઉપવાસ!

જૂનાગઢના ઝુમાં સપ્તાહમાં એક દિવસ આ પ્રાણીઓને ખોરાક નહીં

જૂનાગઢ સક્કરબાગ ઝુમાં સિંહ, વાઘ અને દીપડા સહિતનાં માંસાહારી પ્રાણીઓ દર રવિવારે ઉપવાસ કરે છે. હા, માંસનુ ભક્ષણ કરતા આ પ્રાણીઓની પાચન ક્રિયા વ્યવસ્થીત રીતે જળવાઇ રહે અને મેદસ્વી બની ન જાય એ માટે સપ્તાહમાં એક દિવસ આ પ્રાણીઓને ખોરાક આપવામાં આવતો નથી.

સક્કરબાગ ઝુ માં સિંહ, દીપડા સહિતનાં માંસાહારી પ્રાણીઓ સામાન્ય રીતે માંસનું ભક્ષણ કરતા હોય છે. જેમાં આવતા હાડકા અને વાળ તે કાઢી નાંખતા હોય છે. જો કે પાંજરામાં રહેતા આ પ્રાણીઓનું હલન ચલન ચોક્કસ વિસ્તાર પુરતુ મર્યાદિત રહેતુ હોય છે. ત્યારે તેઓને શરીરમાં ખરાબી થઇ જાય તો અરૂચી દેખાડતા હોય છે. ત્યારે આ પ્રાણીઓને સ્વાસ્થ્ય સંબંધી કોઇ મુશ્કેલી ઉભી ન થાય અને પાચનક્રિયા જળવાઇ રહે એ માટે સપ્તાહમાં એક દિવસ દર રવિવારે તેઓને ખોરાક આપવામાં આવતો ન હોવાનું સુપ્રિટેન્ડન્ટ વી.જે. રાણાએ જણાવ્યુ હતુ.

તેઓએ જણાવ્યુ હતુ કે સામાન્ય રીતે પ્રાણીઓનાં વર્તન પરથી કેટલીક બાબતો સમજી શકાતી હોય છે. સપ્તાહમાં એક દિવસ ખોરાક ન આપવા પાછળ આ પ્રાણીઓની આરોગ્ય સંબંધી બાબત છે. જંગલમાં વહિરતા પ્રાણીઓ સતત મુવમેન્ટ કરતા હોય છે. પરંતુ પાંજરામાં રહેલા પ્રાણીઓનું હલન ચલન મર્યાદીત હોય છે.

પાણીમાં ORS પાઉડર

ઝુ. સુપ્રિટેન્ડન્ટ વી.જે. રાણાએ જણાવ્યુ હતુ કે પ્રાણીઓનાં સ્વાસ્થ્યને ધ્યાને રાખીને પ્રાણીઓને પીવડાવવામાં આવતા પાણીમાં ઓ.આર.એસ પણ નાંખવામાં આવે છે. ખાસ કરીને ઊનાળામાં આ બાબત પર વધુ ધ્યાન આવે છે.

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#4029

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Mon Apr 2, 2012 10:52 am
Subject: Leopard show in madhavpur jungle

kotecha_kishore

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02-04-2012

Leopard show in madhavpur jungle

Divya Bhaskar By Nimish Thakar

http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-leopard-show-in-madhavpur-jungle-3027492.html

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/leopard-show-in-madhavpur-jungle.html

લોકમેળા ટાણે માધવપુરનાં જંગલમાં દીપડાનો પડાવ

-રહેણાંક વિસ્તારો અને હાઇવે કાંઠે આવેલા જંગલમાં દીપડાનાં આંટાફેરા -ભાતીગળ લોકમેળા દરમિયાન દીપડો રંજાડ કરે તે પહેલા પાંજરે પુરવા ઉઠેલી માંગ

છેલ્લા કેટલાક વખતથી ગિર બોર્ડર પર આવેલા જૂનાગઢ જિલ્લાનાં ગામોમાં શેરડી કાપવાની મજૂરીએ આવતા પરપ્રાંતીય પરિવારોનાં બાળકોને ઉઠાવી જવાની ઘટના વારંવાર પ્રકાશમાં આવી છે. ત્યારે પોરબંદર તાલુકાનાં માધવપુર (ઘેડ) પંથકમાં પણ છેલ્લા કેટલાક સમયથી એક ખુંખાર દીપડો આવ્યો આવી ચઢ્યાનું જાણવા મળ્યું છે. પોરબંદર તાલુકાનાં માધવપુર ઘેડ ખાતે આવેલા વિશાળ બાવળનાં જંગલમાં અવાર-નવાર રાની પશુઓ આવી જતા હોય છે. આમ છતા વનવિભાગે હજુ સુધી કોઇ તકેદારીનાં પગલા નથી ભર્યા. આ રાની પશુઓમાં ખાસ કરીને દીપડાનો સમાવેશ થાય છે. માધવપુરમાં છેલ્લા ૬ મહિના પહેલાથી એક દીપડાએ ગામ નજીકનાં જ જંગલમાં પડાવ નાખ્યો છે. તે જંગલમાં રખડતા નાના-મોટા પ્રાણીઓનો તેમજ કુતરાં-ભૂંડ, વગેરેનો શિકાર કરે છે. પરંતુ હજુ સુધી આ જંગલી દીપડાને પકડવાની કોઇ કવાયત વનવિભાગે શરૂ કરી ન હોવાથી હવે તે રહેણાંક વિસ્તારો સુધી આવતો થયો છે.

ગત સોમવારે સમી સાંજે આ દીપડાને માધવપુરનાં દરીયા કાંઠે નેશનલ હાઇવની સાઇડમાં આ જંગલી દીપડાને આરામ ફરમાવતો પાતા (ઘેડ) ગામનાં મેર નાગજણ કારા પરમાર, ભોજા સરમણ ભરડા, કેશુ નાગા દોકલ અને ગોપાલ કાના મોકરીયાએ નજરે નિહાળતાં તેઓ ફફડી ગયા હતા. બાદમાં હિંમત એકઠી કરી દીપડા પાસેથી બાઇક પર ઝડપથી નિકળી ગયા હતા.

દીપડાને નજરે જોનાર યુવાનો બળેજ ગામે ચાલતી ખાણોમાં કામની પતાવટ કરી ડબલ સવારીમાં બે બાઇક પર હાઇવે પરથી પસાર થઇ હતા ત્યારે દંવગી હોટેલ નજીક નાગબાઇનાં પાટીયા પાસે હાઇવે રોડની સાઇડમાં આવેલી ડામર પટ્ટી ઉપર આ ખુંખાર જંગલી દીપડો લોટતો હતો. આ ર્દશ્ય નજરે જોઇ ઘડીવાર ચારેય યુવાનો થંભી ગયા. અને ‘હવે શું કરવું’, ‘ક્યાં જવું’ તેવો વિચાર બાદ ચારેયએ હિંમત એકઠી કરી દીપડા પાસેથી જ બાઇક પુરપાટ ઝડપે ચલાવી નીકળી ગયા હતા.

તેઓનાં એટલાં સદભાગ્ય કે દીપડો તેની મસ્તીમાં આરામ ફરમાવી રહ્યો હતો. આ ઘટનાની ગામ લોકોને જાણ થતાં લોકોમાં ભારે ફફડાટ ફેલાયો છે. જો ધોળા ‘દિએ દીપડો રહેણાંક વિસ્તાર સુધી આવી જતો હોય તો ક્યારે અને કોને નિશાન બનાવે તે ચોક્કસ કહી શકાય તેમ નથી.

આગામી દિવસોમાં માધવપુર (ઘેડ) ખાતે યોજાનાર ભાતીગળ લોકમેળા દરમ્યાન આ ખુંખાર દીપડો કોઇપણ માનવ જીંદગીને નિશાન બનાવે તેવો ભય સતાવી રહ્યો છે. પાંચ દિવસ સુધી ચાલનારા આ માધવપુરનાં મેળામાં શરાત-દિવસ લોકોની અવર-જવર મોટા પ્રમાણમાં રહેતી હોઇ અને જંગલ કાંઠે આવેલો નેશનલ હાઇવે પણ ટ્રાફિકથી ધમધમતો રહેતો હોઇ ખુંખાર દીપડો આતંક મચાવવાનું શરૂ કરે તે પહેલા તેને પાંજરે પુરવાની પ્રબળ માંગ ઉઠી છે.

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DB 02-04-2012.jpg

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#4030

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Mon Apr 2, 2012 10:53 am
Subject: Gir wild cats mauled 10 to death in a year

kotecha_kishore

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02-04-2012

Gir wild cats mauled 10 to death in a year

Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Gir-wild-cats-mauled-10-to-death-in-a-year/articleshow/12497498.cms

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/gir-wild-cats-mauled-10-to-death-in.html

Lions and leopards killed at least 10 persons in Junagadh district in the past one year. The state government has revealed that 1,966 attacks on cattle and 60 attacks on humans have been reported in the same period.

In a written reply to a question by MLA Dhirsinh Barad, the government said that in the 60 attacks, 10 people died and 52 were injured in the year ending January 31.

The government has also paid a compensation of Rs 66.63 lakh in case of deaths of cattle and person, while Rs 55.36 lakh were paid for the death of 2,486 cattle, Rs 9.5 lakh in case of death of person and Rs 1.77 lakh for those 52 person who were injured in the attack.

Going by the figures, the maximum attacks on cattle and humans were in Una taluka where 589 cattle and 15 persons were attacked in the last one year.

This was followed closely by Talala where 301 cattle attacks were reported and 11 persons mauled.

A senior officer refusing anonymity said that in victims in the majority cases of attacks on humans were mauled by leopards. He said that the leopards were getting out of the Gir sanctuary and were moving in the open fields. This was leading to increased human-animal conflict.

Lions have not attacked many people. The wild cat has targeted cattle the most. "With their population increasing, lions are moving out of the sanctuary and have made several areas along the coast as their permanent home. This has resulted in the increased number of attacks on the cattle."

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#4031

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Mon Apr 2, 2012 10:53 am
Subject: Growing population: Leopards struggle in lions’ den, prowl outside Gir

kotecha_kishore

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02-04-2012

Growing population: Leopards struggle in lions’ den, prowl outside Gir

The Indian Express

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Growing-population--Leopards-struggle-in-lions--den--prowl-outside-Gir/931500/

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/growing-population-leopards-struggle-in.html

Fight for space and food in the only abode of Asiatic Lion is forcing leopards to move outside the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary (GWS), which has led to more man-animal conflicts of late.

In the last 15 days, at least five children have fallen prey to the big cat while 13 persons have been attacked by the beast over the last one year in the coastal areas of Junagadh and Amreli districts, located in the periphery of the sanctuary.

According to the forest department, three leopards have been captured in the last 15 days from outskirts of villages in Veraval taluka of Junagadh.

Top forest officials, who came running to examine the sites of recent attacks, said the department is mulling over some population control measures for leopards, as their number is rapidly increasing both at GWS and Sakkarbaug Zoo.

The zoo, one of the oldest in India, is basically a lion breeding centre, but it is packed with man-eater leopards, which are now considered too dangerous to be released in the forest.

In fact, officials said, leopard population is increasing as fast as that of Asiatic lions.

As per the 2011 Census, the population of leopards in the sanctuary — spread over 1,412 sq km in Junagadh — touched the mark of 450, almost same as that of Asiatic lions. And nearly 170 of them have dispersed to peripheral areas on the coastline. This has become a cause of concern for humans, especially labourers working in mines and sugarcane fields in Veraval and Kodinar talukas.

Officials say that shrinking natural habitat coupled with increasing lion and leopard population has led to dispersion of these two big cats outside forest areas. They generally take shelter in mango and sugarcane fields for days.

Leopard, which is an opportunistic hunter, prefers to stay in the revenue areas, which increases the chances of conflict with humans, they said.

“All the children who have fallen prey (to leopards) in the last couple of days are of labourers working in agricultural fields or mines,” said Principal Conservator of Forest K Gohel. Forest teams led by Gohel asked labourers to take precautions like avoiding sleeping in the open. They were specifically asked not to eat and throw non-vegetarian cooked food in the open.

The incidents have led to changes in the lifestyle in the coastal belts of Veraval, from where all the recent incidents were reported. Labourers no longer work after sunset and prefer to work only in groups during the day. “Parents now accompany their children on their way to school and also while returning home. Children are no longer allowed to play in the fields,” said Umeshsing, a labourer.

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#4032

From: Satya Sinha <sinhasp@...>
Date: Mon Apr 2, 2012 3:15 pm
Subject: Needs precustion and awareness to the people around Gir

sinhasp

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Man made habitat siuts big cats and provides food and shelter that is why both the large predator roam around Gir WLS upto coastal villages.If you see the number of calf mortality number you will find number of livestock killing will be more as compared to inside the Gir Forest livstocks belongs to maldharies.What the reason quite simple Maldharies knows how to live with large predators on the otherhand outside Gir have not such s=experience and feel agronant of the presence of lion or leopard just want to get rid.Thaey need c proper awareness and precasutions to be taken not after any mishappining but before that .I used stay whole day and night inside the Gir forest deep in the forest but never had any problem of attacks.

Mr Sk Goyal CCF Wildlife and Mr AK Sharma Adl PPCF Forest corportion were posted in Gir West and Gir East and seen me roaming around in Gir on foot with my guide Abbala Zafar a teacher for me.I learned alot from him. But I lost him..

Dr SP Sinha
Dehradun
--- On Mon, 2/4/12, Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...> wrote:

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Subject: [Asiatic_Lions] Gir wild cats mauled 10 to death in a year
To: "Asiatic Lion Group" <asiatic_lions@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Monday, 2 April, 2012, 15:23

02-04-2012

Gir wild cats mauled 10 to death in a year

Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Gir-wild-cats-mauled-10-to-death-in-a-year/articleshow/12497498.cms

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/gir-wild-cats-mauled-10-to-death-in.html

Lions and leopards killed at least 10 persons in Junagadh district in the past one year. The state government has revealed that 1,966 attacks on cattle and 60 attacks on humans have been reported in the same period.

In a written reply to a question by MLA Dhirsinh Barad, the government said that in the 60 attacks, 10 people died and 52 were injured in the year ending January 31.

The government has also paid a compensation of Rs 66.63 lakh in case of deaths of cattle and person, while Rs 55.36 lakh were paid for the death of 2,486 cattle, Rs 9.5 lakh in case of death of person and Rs 1.77 lakh for those 52 person who were injured in the attack.

Going by the figures, the maximum attacks on cattle and humans were in Una taluka where 589 cattle and 15 persons were attacked in the last one year.

This was followed closely by Talala where 301 cattle attacks were reported and 11 persons mauled.

A senior officer refusing anonymity said that in victims in the majority cases of attacks on humans were mauled by leopards. He said that the leopards were getting out of the Gir sanctuary and were moving in the open fields. This was leading to increased human-animal conflict.

Lions have not attacked many people. The wild cat has targeted cattle the most. "With their population increasing, lions are moving out of the sanctuary and have made several areas along the coast as their permanent home. This has resulted in the increased number of attacks on the cattle."

Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)

#4033

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Tue Apr 3, 2012 6:06 pm
Subject: Gujarat declines to shift its Asiatic lions to Madhya Pradesh

kotecha_kishore

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03-04-2012

Gujarat declines to shift its Asiatic lions to Madhya Pradesh

Twocircles

http://twocircles.net/2012apr03/gujarat_declines_shift_its_asiatic_lions_madhya_pradesh.html

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/gujarat-declines-to-shift-its-asiatic.html

Gujarat Monday told the Supreme Court that it could not consent to the shifting of its Asiatic lions from Gir forests to Kunopal sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh as there was no proper study on shifting of the big cats.

A forest bench of Justice K.S.Radhakrishnan and Justice C.K.Prasad was told that the central government was already seeking to introduce cheetah from Namabia in the Kunopal, located in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district.

The court was told that Gir forest was an ideal for the Asiatic lions and there was no report suggesting of any disease inflicting them thereby posing a danger of their extension.

Concluding his arguments, senior counsel Shyam Divan, appearing for the state government, referred to various communications between the then Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan pointing to the plans for introducing cheetahs in Kunopal, and argued that two wild beasts could not co-exist in the same sanctuary.

He told the court that no translocation of lions could take place without proper study on whether they can be shifted or not.

The court then asked the central environment and forest ministry to appraise it of its latest position. The court also asked Madhya Pradesh government to spell its position on the issue.

Since the apex court was moved in 2009 for the shifting of the lions from Gir Forest to Kunopal, Gujarat has consistently opposed the move on the grounds that Madhya Pradesh's track record securing wild animals was dismal.

It had maintained that the villages around the Kunopal sanctuary were full of poachers and as the state government had failed in protecting its own tigers it could not be counted for protecting the lions.

Besides this Gujarat has told the apex court that Kunopal sanctuary had inadequate pray base for the Gir lion and there was a conflict of opinion amongst the experts on the question of shifting the lions from their original habitat.

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#4034

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Tue Apr 3, 2012 6:07 pm
Subject: ‘MP needs cheetahs from S Africa, not lions from Gir’

kotecha_kishore

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03-04-2012

‘MP needs cheetahs from S Africa, not lions from Gir’

The Indian Express

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mp-needs-cheetahs-from-s-africa-not-lions-from-gir/931946/

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/mp-needs-cheetahs-from-s-africa-not.html

The Gujarat government on Monday suggested to the Supreme Court that instead of relocating Asiatic lions to the neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, efforts should be made to relocate the cheetah, extinct in India, from South Africa to MP.

Then, after sufficient time has passed, efforts, if any, should be made to add lions gradually to that sanctuary otherwise “lions will not allow the cheetahs to survive in the sanctuary”, argued senior counsel Shyam Divan, who is representing the state government.

The Gujarat government is fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court in the wake of a PIL filed by an environment group seeking the translocation of Asiatic lions in Gir to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary.

In an earlier hearing in the matter, the Supreme Court had observed that the big cats were not the “property” of the state, but belonged to the country.

Interestingly, in 2009, four cheetahs were brought by the state from Singapore in exchange for three Asiatic lions and kept in Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh.

In February 2010, they were taken away from public viewing to be treated for infections in the respiratory system and swelling in the liver. The state had flown in experts from Singapore as well. The felines recovered after a month or two.

In September last year, one of the cheetahs died of renal failure.

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#4035

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Tue Apr 3, 2012 6:07 pm
Subject: Don’t shift Gir lions to MP: Gujarat to SC

kotecha_kishore

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03-04-2012

Don’t shift Gir lions to MP: Gujarat to SC

The Indian Express

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dont-shift-gir-lions-to-mp-gujarat-to-sc/931718/

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/dont-shift-gir-lions-to-mp-gujarat-to.html

The Gujarat government on Monday opposed in the Supreme Court any effort by the Centre to translocate Asiatic lions from its Gir sanctuary to Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

Appearing before a Forest Bench of Justices K S Radhakrishnan and C K Prasad, senior advocate Shyam Divan said the state had sufficient wherewithal and will to conserve the lions’ population and it was not advisable to trans-locate them.

The state said that efforts should be made for translocation of the cheetah from South Africa to Kuno Palpur instead, and lions should be added gradually after sufficient time.

The Gujarat government is fighting a battle in the Supreme Court against the translocation of lions in the wake of a PIL filed by an environment group seeking their translocation to Madhya Pradesh.

At an earlier hearing, the Gujarat government had argued against the need to move the Asiatic lions from Gir. This had prompted the Supreme Court to observe that the big cats were not the “property” of the state, but belong to the country.

The opposition from the state comes despite the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) also voting against the Gujarat government’s reluctance to shift the lions.

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#4036

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Wed Apr 4, 2012 6:26 pm
Subject: Nine leopards killed in 5 years

kotecha_kishore

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04-04-2012

Nine leopards killed in 5 years

Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Nine-leopards-killed-in-5-years/articleshow/12525596.cms

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/nine-leopards-killed-in-5-years.html

At least nine leopards have been killed by villagers in Saurashtra, Banaskantha and Dang in the last five years. Of these, five were killed in Saurashtra region alone.

"Leopards are being killed in the region where people take care of another big cat - the Asiatic lions. Even if a farmer sees his cattle being attacked by a lion, he would not interfere, but if a leopard is involved, they will attack it," said a senior forest officer.

Going by the state government figures given in the assembly in reply to Jodia MLA Raghavji Patel's question, between 2007-08 and 2010-11 one leopard was killed in Banaskantha, Bhavnagar and Amreli district each, while three leopards were killed in Dang and Junagadh.

It is clear that the number of leopard-human conflict is on the rise not because of its increasing population but because of it straying out in search of its favourite food like monkeys and dogs, said the officials.

They said that the leopard census taken up in 2011 revealed that the population is up by 8.41 per cent. The count has increased to 1,140 from 1,070 (as per the count in 2006). Officials said that the highest density of leopard is in Junagadh district, which has the population of 385 leopards.

The census revealed that more than 50 per cent of the population stays in close proximity to human beings. The natural habitat of the wildlife is shrinking because of the degradation of the forest. The government's decision to give land to adivasis in the forest areas has driven away the prey base for the big cats into the open area and this has resulted in the big cats moving out of the sanctuary.

Officials in the forest department, refusing to be quoted, said, "The leopards are venturing into sugarcane fields." They said they take shelter in sugarcane fields in search of cats, dogs and even small animals, and are not spotted from a distance. But as one gets into the field, human-animal conflict occurs, they added.

In Junagadh alone, about 60 attacks on humans have been reported, of which over 90 per cent were by leopards, they said.

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#4037

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Wed Apr 4, 2012 6:27 pm
Subject: From Aug, Gir lions will roar in Porbandar too

kotecha_kishore

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04-04-2012

From Aug, Gir lions will roar in Porbandar too

DNA By Paras K Jha & Roxy Gagdekar

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_from-aug-gir-lions-will-roar-in-porbandar-too_1671224

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/from-aug-gir-lions-will-roar-in.html

Gujarat’s ‘pride’ was so far limited to Gir alone, but if plans work as per design, the big cats’ roar will now echo loud and clear in Porbandar too from this August.

Eight Asiatic lions of Gir will make the Barda Sanctuary their home by August as the state forest department has decided to shift four pairs of lions in the newly-developed gene-pool centre in Barda Forest around 160 Km away from Gir.

The principal secretary, state environment and forest department, SK Nanda said: “We will be shifting lions to Barda Sanctuary very soon. It is part of our gene-pool programme for making the breed genetically very strong and to develop genetic diversity amongst big cats.”

Confirming the developments, additional chief conservator of forest, HS Singh said, “We are already having gene-pool programme in Rampara vidi near Wankaner of Rajkot district. We have been successful in lion conservation programme, as three cubs have been born at Rampara vidi.”

Singh said the present hot weather is not conducive for shifting the lions to a new location. “Lions find it extremely difficult to adjust to new environment. Therefore, when weather conditions become more favourable for lions post-monsoon season, we will shift them,” he said.

The forest department will ensure that those shifted to Barda have different family genes. “We will be shifting lions and lionesses having different family genes for the breeding So that the genetic diversity can be maintained.”

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#4038

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Wed Apr 4, 2012 6:27 pm
Subject: Lions’ roar to echo in Porbandar's Barda Sanctuary

kotecha_kishore

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04-04-2012

Lions’ roar to echo in Porbandar's Barda Sanctuary

DNA By Paras K Jha & Roxy Gagdekar

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_lions-roar-to-echo-in-porbandar-s-barda-sanctuary_1671423

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/lions-roar-to-echo-in-porbandars-barda.html

Gujarat's 'pride' was so far limited to Gir alone, but if the plans work as per design, the big cats' roar will now echo loud and clear in Porbandar's Barda Sanctuary too from this August.

As many as eight Asiatic lions of Gir will make the sanctuary their home by August, 2012 as the state forest department has decided to shift four pairs of lions in the newly-developed gene pool centre in Barda Forest around 160 km away from Gir.

The principal secretary, state environment and forest department, SK Nanda said, "We will be shifting lions from Gir to Barda Sanctuary very soon. It is part of our gene pool programme for making the breed genetically very strong and to develop genetic diversity amongst big cats."

Confirming the developments additional chief conservator of forest, HS Singh said, "We are already having gene pool programme in Rampara vidi near Wankaner of Rajkot district. We have been successful in lion conservation programme, as three cubs have been born at Rampara vidi. Now, we will be shifting four pairs of lions to Barda Sanctuary post-monsoon, by August."

Singh further said that the present hot weather is not conducive for shifting the cats to a new location. "Lions find it extremely difficult to adjust to new environment. Therefore, when weather conditions become more favorable for lions post-monsoon season, we will shift them," he said.

Member of National Board for Wildlife in India, Divyabhanusinh Chavada said he is very happy that the lions have been moved to Barda Wildlife Sanctuary. "This is very good, but what's next? The lions are happily multiplying. Today, they are 411, tomorrow they'll be 500. Where will they go next? Gujarat government needs to conserve their traditional corridor. The land needs to be immediately acquired and conserved," he said.

The forest department, which has distributed the lion families in different grids, will ensure that those shifted to Barda have different family genes. "It is set process of selecting the animals for gene-pool conservation programme. We will be shifting lions and lionesses having different family genes for the breeding. So the genetic diversity can be maintained. Further, we will be picking lions who barge into human habitat often for shifting to the new place,” said Singh.

To feed these lions, a prey base has also been developed in Barda Sanctuary. "There has been a breeding centre for Sambar deer (Rusa Unicolor) at Killeshwar temple in Barda Sanctuary. This place was the forest reserve of erstwhile king Jamsaheb of Jamnagar.”

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#4039

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Thu Apr 5, 2012 7:49 am
Subject: Will it be lions or cheetahs that will roam Kuno-Palpur sanctuary?

kotecha_kishore

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02-04-2012

Will it be lions or cheetahs that will roam Kuno-Palpur sanctuary?
Down To Earth
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/will-it-be-lions-or-cheetahs-will-roam-kuno-palpur-sanctuary

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/will-it-be-lions-or-cheetahs-that-will.html

Supreme Court asks environment ministry to clarify stand after Gujarat opposes translocation of Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh

The Gujarat government, which has been opposing the Centre's proposal to translocate Asiatic lions from the state's Gir sanctuary to Madhya Pradesh have proffered a new reason for halting the programme. While arguing the case in the Supreme Court on April 2, counsel for Gujarat said that shifting the lions to Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary would not be feasible because the Centre was planning to introduce Cheetah's there. The Cheetahs to be introduced in Kuno will be brought from Africa. The Gujarat government contended that reintroduction of cheetah, which have gone extinct in India, is now the priority of the Centre.

The state and the Centre have been at loggerheads ever since proposal to translocate a few of the Gir lions was formulated in 2000. Asiatic lions exist only in Gir (they number over 400) and fears have often been expressed that high rate of inbreeding and less genetic diversity may make the Gir lions highly susceptible to epidemics. A study by the Wildlife Institute of India in 2006 identified Kuno-Palpur sanctuary as a suitable site.

Wildlife activist Fayaz Khudsar filed a public interest petition in the apex court in 2006, seeking translocation of Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh.

During the hearing in the court, Gujarat government counsel argued that wildlife experts have stated on record that cheetahs should be introduced first in Kuno for better chances of their survival. On the state's demand, the apex court asked the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to clarify its position on introduction of cheetahs in Kuno-Palpur sanctuary visa a vis the proposal to translocate lions there.

The National Board of Wild Life, the expert body that advises MoEF on wildlife matters, had recommended in 2009 that the lions should be translocated to the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary.

In the last hearing in March, the court had asked the Gujarat State Board of Wildlife to consider the translocation of lions and present a report to the court. In its meeting held on March 16, the board reasserted its stand that the lions should not be shifted. The board concluded that there are no serious threats to the Gir lions. It noted that past attempts to translocate the lions have failed. The board members said the project proposal was scientifically flawed and ill-conceived.

During arguments in the court, the Gujarat counsel said there is no study to justify that current prey-base density in Kuno-Palpur is sufficient for lions. There are studies which suggest that poaching is continuing in Kuno, which would prove to be a trap for the Gir lions.

The state counsel further argued that since wildlife is a state subject, there should be no interference of the Union government or the judiciary as long as the decision of the state is according to policy. The case will be heard next on April 9 when the Centre and the Madhya Pradesh government will present their side of the arguments.

1 of 1 Photo(s)

cheetahs.jpg

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#4040

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Thu Apr 5, 2012 7:51 am
Subject: Gujarat opposes shifting of Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh

kotecha_kishore

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03-04-2012

Gujarat opposes shifting of Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh
The Hindu By J. Venkatesan
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article3274900.ece
http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/gujarat-opposes-shifting-of-gir-lions.html

“Scientific facts do not support fears of threat to Asiatic lion population in Gir”
The Gujarat government on Monday strongly opposed any move to shift the Asiatic lions from the Gir forest to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh. It contended that the lions would not be safe there.

Appearing for the State, senior counsel Shyam Divan told a Bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and C.K. Prasad the apprehension that an epidemic in the Gir forest might wipe out the entire species of the Asiatic lions was not borne out of correct facts. The Gir lions were not genetically weak, he said.

Counsel argued that the Centre's fear was not supported by scientific proof. The Kuno reserve forest was not suitable for lions because it was meant for tigers and its weather and environment were not conducive for the survival of the Asiatic lions.

Mr. Divan said there were 25 tigers in Kuno Palpur once, but the population was zero now due to poaching. How can the Asiatic lions be moved there when there was systemic failure and the Madhya Pradesh government had failed to put in place a system to protect tigers?

Initially, the Kuno region was meant to be used for a cheetah project and it was suggested that cheetahs should first be allowed to acclimatise themselves in the reserve forest and then steps taken for the translocation of the Asiatic lions, he noted.

Mr. Divan reasoned that if the lions were translocated first, they might not allow cheetahs to establish themselves.

The Gujarat government was taking adequate steps to protect and preserve the lions.

Arguments in the case will continue.

* Kuno Palpur's weather and environment not conducive for Asiatic lions

* Poaching has wiped out the entire population of 25 tigers in Kuno

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#4041

From: Kishore Kotecha <kotecha_kishore@...>
Date: Fri Apr 6, 2012 4:58 pm
Subject: Cheetahs help Gujarat govt plead lion case in SC

kotecha_kishore

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06-04-2012

Cheetahs help Gujarat govt plead lion case in SC

Hindustan times By Chetan Chauhan

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Cheetahs-help-Gujarat-govt-plead-lion-case-in-SC/Article1-836139.aspx

http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.in/2012/04/cheetahs-help-gujarat-govt-plead-lion.html

The Gujarat government, which was always against giving away its lions to Madhya Pradesh, has received help from unexpected quarters — the cheetahs in Namibia.

The Narendra Modi-led government has refused to relocate lions from Gir National Park in Saurashtra region to Kuno Palpur National Park in Madhya Pradesh on the grounds that the big cats will kill the cheetahs that will be brought there from Namibia.

The environment ministry had recently allowed the Madhya Pradesh government to translocate nine cheetahs from Namibia in a phased manner for being released in the wild in Kuno Palpur. The project will cost around Rs. 50 crore.

The ministry's decision came handy for the Gujarat government in the Supreme Court. A technical report from the Wildlife Institute of India and Wildlife Trust of India had suggested that lions should be relocated only after the cheetahs have settled down in Kuno Palpur.

A similar argument was put forth by the Gujarat government's counsel, who pleaded for suspension of any plan to relocate lions to Kuno Palpur until the safety of the cheetahs was ensured. Cheetahs could be found in India till the 1960s.

For years now, the Gujarat government had been refusing to hand over its lions — stating that they could not afford to part with the ‘pride of Gujarat’. Now, the cheetah project has given them just the tool with which to deny Madhya Pradesh the lions.

Incidentally, one of the main reasons for the creation of Kuno Palpur was the relocation of the lions. “Kuno was the designated home for Asiatic lions,” said Fayaz Khudsar, who had filed a petition in the Supreme Court for the purpose, “The cheetah project will be a huge setback for the lions.”

As of summer 2010, there were 411 asiatic lions in the Gir National Park.

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Photography of bustard now covered under Wildlife Act

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Photography of bustard now covered under Wildlife Act

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