Asiatic Lion Information Centre

The Asiatic lion news archive - 1999

Stories relating to the Asiatic lion and updates on the captive breeding programme from 1999.

DATELINE : October 4th 1999
INDIAN GOVERNMENT: First Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Awards presented:

The Vice President Shri Krishan Kant presented the first Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Awards here today. The Awards, which carry a prize of Rs. 1 lakh each and a trophy were given away in two categories - Institution and Individual.

The Award for outstanding work by an Institution in Conservation of Wildlife was given to the World Wide Fund for Nature -- India (WWF-India), for its contribution to spawning a large number of conservation Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) as well as conservation professionals. The Award Citation says "From among its Nature Clubs, other associates and supporters, have sprung a whole generation of environmentalists, who are continuing the crusade in whatever personal or professional capacity they may be." Shri S.P. Godrej, the President Board of Trustees of the Organisation, accepted the Award on behalf of WWF-India.

The Award for outstanding work by an individual was given to Shri H.S. Panwar. A forester by profession, Shri Panwar joined the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department in 1963. He was the founder Field Director of Kanha National Park in 1973. In 1981 he took over as Director, Project Tiger, Government of India. He served as a member Secretary of a task force for working out a strategy to involve people in wildlife conservation. After joining the Wildlife Institute of India in 1985 he was responsible for the "Biogeographic Report". The report deals with planning wildlife protected area networks in the country. Shri Panwar later announced that his cash award would be donated equally to the Wildlife Institute and the Kanha National Park.

In his speech as a Chief Guest, the Vice President said that it is only through a change in mindset that wildlife preservation and protection of eco-systems can be promoted on a scale that would make impact. Shri Kant noted that our cultural values have succeeded in protecting a far larger variety of animals and plant species than many other societies. The Vice President said he was happy that these values have not been completely lost inspite of the relentless onslaught of modern day consumerism. The need for concerted effort by government and society should not be underplayed, said the Vice President. It was necessary to integrate wildlife and species protection into our macro- framework of socio-economic development. Shri Kant suggested that one long-term solution could be to make environment and wildlife compulsory subjects in schools and colleges. The Vice President also said there is an urgent need to redress problems related to man and animal conflict.

The Minister for Environment & Forests Shri Suresh Prabhu in his address said India has a total forest area of one percent of the planet. But it has to support 12% of the human population and 18% of the livestock population of the world. Hence demographic pressures are quite high. The Minister said at present there are more than 500 wildlife reserves extending over 4.5% of the geographical area of the country. Although the Ministry has been successful in conservation efforts, these have been limited due to certain inherent weaknesses. Shri Prabhu said the Ministry is trying to redress these weaknesses through new initiatives. Task Forces have been appointed to look into comprehensiveness and representativeness of protected areas. They would also consider rationalisation of boundaries especially with a view to create a buffer between protected areas and agricultural fields. A Committee has been appointed under the former Cabinet Secretary Shri B.G. Deshmukh to work out a National Wildlife Action Plan. The Minister also said that certain amendments have been proposed in the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Once passed by Parliament, they would allow involvement of local communities in decision making about programmes to be executed in protected areas. The Minister also put on record his appreciation for the commendable efforts made by NGOs to create awareness in this field. The Department of Posts brought out a special postal stamp and first day cover on the occasion, on the Asiatic Lion. The Vice President released the First Day Cover, which has four separate stamps on the Asiatic Lion. A Souvenir in the form of a book, "Asiatic Lion on the Brink", written by Aseem and Suvira Srivastava was also released by the Vice President. Shri Aseem Srivastava is currently the Deputy Inspector General (Wildlife) in the Ministry of Environment & Forests. The book is a monograph on the symbiotic relationship between Lion and Man. It is also about the rehabilitation of the Gir Forest -- the last habitat of the Asiatic Lion, and how the forest was, is and will be. The Environment and Forests Secretary Shri Vishwanath Anand, the Inspector General of Forests and Special Secretary in the Ministry Shri C.P. Oberoi and the Secretary Posts Shri R.U.S. Prasad were also present at the function.