Lok Sabha Question No. 913 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Asiatic Lion
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 913

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2018

## Asiatic Lion

## 913. DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

Will  the  Minister  of  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE  CHANGE  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether any special provisions have been made by the Government for the protection of Asiatic Lion in the Gir forest;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a), (b) and (c) The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change,  Government  of India  has  taken  several  measures  for  the  protection  of  Asiatic  Lion.  Asiatic Lion  has  been  identified  as  one  of  the  21  Critically  Endangered  species  for focused  conservation  program  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of 'Development  of  Wildlife  Habitat'.  Measures  adopted  to  protect  the  Asiatic

Lion  includes:

- i. Listing  the  species  in  Schedule-I  of  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act, 1972, thereby, according them highest degree of legal protection from hunting and poaching.
- ii. State  Government  of  Gujarat  has  taken  legal,  administrative  and financial  provisions  for  protection  of  Asiatic  Lion  in  Gir.  The  legal provision includes declaring additional lion habitat area as Sanctuary. Administrative provisions include creating a new administrative division  for  wildlife  Management.  The  financial  provision  includes providing new scheme and additional financial support. The financial provisions are for strengthening, protection and surveillance, infrastructure, transport/ communication, health infrastructure, and man animal conflict reduction measures.
- iii. The  State  Government  of  Gujarat    has  also  declared  Pania,  Mitiyala and  Girnar  sanctuary,  bringing  additional  area of  236.73  km  of  Lion habitat, under Wildlife (Protection), Act, 1972.
- iv. To  insure  and  intensify  protection  and  conservation  to  lion  habitat
5. outside protected areas, new division has been declared.
- v. The Government of Gujarat has declared Rs. 231.00 crore over period of 5 year for long termlion conservation, with main focus on reducing Man-Animal conflict. It comprises of new rescue centre, rescue teams, Rapid response team, strengthening of existing protection and surveillance  infrastructure,  transport/  communication  infrastructures etc.
- vi. Government  of  Gujarat  has  introduced  3  years  package  of  wildlife health  care  and  veterinary  support  team,  including  manpower  and equipment.
- vii. Appointment  of  'Vanya  Prani  Mitra'  (Wildlife  Friend)  in  villages around Gir area.
- viii. Erection of chain linked fencing on Railway track in Amreli district.
- ix. Monthly Monitoring Committee  has been constituted headed by Inspector General of Police, Junagarh Range having officers of Police and  Forest  Department  as  members  to  keep  vigil  on  suspicious movements,  exchange  of  information  and  monitoring  of  Wildlife offences in the area.
- x. Wireless Network in and around Gir area for fast communication.
- xi. Checking  Nakas  on  entry  points  for  keeping  track  of  movements  of vehicles and people.

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