Excerpts From The Supreme Court’s Judgment Ordering The Translocation Of Lions From Gujarat To Madhya Pradesh
APPLICATION FOR INTERVENTION IS ALLOWED
We have been called upon to decide the necessity of a second home for Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica), an endangered species, for its long term survival and to protect the species from extinction as issue rooted on eco-centrism, which supports the protection of all wildlife forms, not just those which are of instrumental value to humans but those which have intrinsic worth.
Judgement of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of Centre for Environment Law Vs Union of India & Others dated 15/04/2013 regarding the necessity of a second home for Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica), an endangered species, for its long term survival and to protect the species from extinction.
The Gujarat Government has claimed that there has been no poaching of Asiatic Lions in the Gir Sanctuary in the Saurashtra region of the state in the past two years.
Ninety-two Asiatic lions have died, including 83 of natural death, in the past two years in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region while there has been no case of poaching.
Ahmedabad: The people of Saurashtra take care of lions as they would of their own family members. If they spot a lion in the vicinity of their village, they take pride in the fact and protect it.
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.
