AHMEDABAD: The forest department has ordered random tests on Gir lions for detection of possible presence of dangerous viruses, to prevent Madhya Pradesh from using possible outbreak of viral disea

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government will file a review petition on Tuesday to stop Gir lions from being translocated to Madhya Pradesh.

Officials are set to file a review petition against the Supreme Court's April 15 order which said some Lions should be sent to the neighbouring state's Palpur Kuno Sanctuary.

Central Fund Scaled Down By 100cr

Ahmedabad: The lion’s share of conversation funds in the country are meant only for the tiger. For the Asiatic lion, found only in Gujarat, the central government seems to have only peanuts. The Planning Commission has asked the Gujarat government to slash its project to preserve the lions outside the Gir sanctuary by Rs 100 crore.

AHMEDABAD: Not just humans, even animals prefer flowing water. The drought-like situation in the Gir area has shown that water holes filled by wind or solar powered pumps attract more animals than those artificially filled by tankers.

Officials said stagnant water is less preferred. At a watering spot with flowing water, not just Asiatic lions, even chital, sambar and other wild animals are seen more frequently.

Ahmedabad: For flamingos, Khadir region was already a death trap; and now, the birds are finding it lethal to fly into Haripar village in Maliya. Over 20 flamingos were found dead on Wednesday.

Ahmedabad: The average age of guards in Palamau Tiger sanctuary is 53 and at Simlipal Tiger Sanctuary it is 49 years, but for guards in Gujarat it is 39 years.

Officials said that of 388 staffers, 149 are 20 to 30 years old. The study carried out by deputy conservator of forests Sandeep Kumar revealed that the average age of guards is 39 years, while that of foresters is 42.5 years. The guards and foresters are those actually in the field, responsible for conservation.

First Such Tie-Up With A State In India

Ahmedabad: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world’s oldest and the largest global environmental organization, has joined hands with the Gujarat government to conserve state’s flora and fauna. This is a one-of-a-kind arrangement where an Indian state has tied up with IUCN. The move comes at a time when rapid industrialisation has exerted pressure on wildlife habitats in the state.

Habitat Helps Wild Cats In Their Bid To Stay Away From Humans

Ahmedabad: Contrary to the popular belief that lions prefer savanna grassland, the king of the jungle here in Gir National Park likes moist shady habitats instead. Main reason is that there are several human eyes keeping a watch on him. The human activities in the form of livestock grazing, collection of fodder and fuel wood is what is harassing the Asiatic lions in its last abode; Gir National Park. This is forcing the creature to spend the entire day in moist and shady habitats which provide them respite from such human interference.

Ahmedabad: Gujarat foresters are dealing with a new threat to the Gir wildlife sanctuary. Scarcity of fodder on the periphery of the sanctuary is forcing politicians to pressure the forest department to permit Maldharis to bring their cattle inside the sanctuary for grazing.

Forest officials said that MLAs from the ruling party were trying to ensure that the Maldhari community around the sanctuary was allowed into Gir, Girnar, and Mitiyala sanctuaries. Sources said the pressure was constant.

20 Wildlife Enthusiasts Have Taken Up Cudgels Against The Illegal Practice

Ahmedabad: Wildlife lovers have joined hands to give the lion king of Gir some peace and quietness. With the help of NGOs working in Saurashtra, a group of wildlife enthusiasts has decided to take up cudgels against illegal lion shows organized in the revenue areas outside Gir Sanctuary. On Sunday, a group gathered in Ahmedabad to decide on the future course of action. In all, 20 wildlife lovers from Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Amreli and other places attended the meeting, where they decided to launch a drive for the effective conservation of lions.