Asiatic Lion Information Centre

The Asiatic lion news archive - 2006

Stories relating to the Asiatic lion and updates on the captive breeding programme from 2006.

DATELINE:June 17, 2006
NBW to discuss wellbeing of Asiatic Lions, wildlife on June 19

New Delhi, Jun 16: The National Board for Wildlife is meeting on June 19 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan singh and would discuss the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force, including conservation of Asiatic lions and the setting up of a National Wildlife Crime Bureau.

It would discuss about nine items including conservation of important wetlands, Red Jungle Fowl and Asiatic lions, an official release said here today.

The National Board for Wildlife has 47 members with the Prime Minister in Chair.

Agenda proposed for the meeting are legal powers to Army, raising of Ecological task Force Battalion for Sanctuaries, Funds for awareness and State Board of Wild Life, it said.

The Task Force, in its report submitted to the Prime Minister, had recommended that Field Commanders of the Army deployed for counter insurgency operations be vested with legal powers as provided to Chief Wildlife Wardens.

Considering the perceptible decline in tiger population, the Task Force had recommended to utilise ex-servicemen for the conservation of the species.

"Since most of the soldiers retire between 35-40 years and are well trained, deciplined and have considerable experience of operating in jungle... They are best suited for such jobs," the Task Force in its recommendations said.