The Asiatic lion news archive - 2006

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

DATELINE: November 5, 2006
3,000 open wells around Gir threaten lions

Brahmananda Shasmal

AHMEDABAD: Over 3,000 open wells in and around Gir sanctuary continue to pose a threat to Asiatic lions. Every year, at least 12 to 15 lions or leopards fall into open wells and on an average, four to five of them die, say forest officials.

With open wells posing a grave danger, the forest department recently carried out a survey and discovered over 3,000 wells which didn't even have parapets.

Junagadh collector Ashwini Kumar said, "The collectorate has taken stock of the situation and we are planning to work out a strategy to cover these wells."

The estimated cost of covering these wells will be around Rs 10,000 per well. Since huge funds are involved, the forest department has already moved a proposal.

Kumar said that the department can issue a notification asking farmers to cover the wells, but this can't be made compulsory.

Bharat Pathak, conservator of forests, said, "This is a costly affair.We have covered a large number of wells in western Gir, but many more remain uncovered. We have also undertaken several awareness campaigns in the area and are telling the people that open wells pose a threat, not just to animals, but to human life as well."

Pathak said that many NGOs have come forward to cover these wells, but the effort put in by them is inadequate as these basic safety measures require huge expenditure.

According to Pathak, the problem of open wells is difficult to tackle as villagers in this arid zone dig up fresh wells when required and leave these uncovered once the water dries up.

Former chief conservator of forests, G A Patel, feels that the problem has been persisting for too long and a long term solution has to be found.

Patel had proposed that for all wells, within a radius of 10 km from the sanctuary, should be compulsorily surrounded by parapets which are at least five feet in height.

Source: The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/322815.cms