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The Asiatic lion news archive - 2006
DATELINE: JUNE 4, 2006
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat want 'lion' share
The endangered Asiatic lion is caught in an unusual line of fire - a spat between Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat over relocation of the big cat.
Gir in Junagadh district of southwest Gujarat is the only place where the Asiatic lion is found. However, wildlife experts say that entire population of the beast being confined to one place does not augur well for the species.
Gir has more than 325 big cats, too high a number, say experts, for the 1,400 sq km national park. It exposes them to the risk of being wiped out in case of a natural calamity or fatal disease.
Though Madhya Pradesh has prepared a second home for the magnificent animal, Gujarat is not ready to part with its prized possession.
Experts said overpopulation was one of the main causes behind the death of several lions in Orissa's Nandankanan National Park in 2000.
Motivated by the threat of extinction of the lions, the Dehra Dun based Wildlife Research Institute began to hunt for a second home for the animal and zeroed in on the 344 sq km Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh.
A Rs.640-million ($14-million) centrally sponsored project to shift the lions was introduced in 1996-97, to be spread over a period of 20 years. It envisaged tranquilising the animals and transporting them by air to Palpur. Here they were to be housed in a pre-release centre near Palpur for acclimatization.
While the Madhya Pradesh government has gone ahead with its part of the preparations for their special guests, Gujarat refuses to budge.
Gujarat's officials have not even replied to a central government communication, asking them to make preparations for the translocation of two or three prides from Gir to Kuno-Palpur.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Conservator of Forests P.B. Gangopadhyay said the state had already spent Rs.100 million in making preparations and another Rs.180 million would be spent over the next six years.
"The 24 tribal villages (in Palpur) with a population of around 8,000 inside the sanctuary limits have been shifted outside. This cost the government Rs.100,000 and two hectares of land per family to make the place conducive for the lions," he said.
However, Gujarat's forest officials say that the new site - richly populated with herbivores - should be natural and not an artificial one.
"We are going to be extremely pragmatic in taking a decision and will take all factors into consideration before allowing any shift," an official said. He added that a tiger-lion conflict in Kuno-Palpur could not be ruled out.
But Gangopadhyay said: "The new habitat at Palpur was chosen as the most apt second home for the Asiatic lion after scientific deliberation based on several parameters."
Forest department sources said Kuno-Palpur, with its wind swept grasslands punctuated with trees and low shrubs, was perfect for the lions which, unlike tigers, move around in prides - each comprising up to 14 animals and prefer grasslands with low shrubs.
They pointed out that the abundant water supply, better grass cover to support the prey base and a minimal effect upon human settlement were the factors that had favoured Palpur over other sanctuaries.
Source: WebIndia123.com
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20060604/353376.html
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