Special Rs 350-cr package for conservation of Gir lions: Minister

Gujarat Forests and Tribal Welfare Minister Ganpatsinh Vasava Sunday said the state government has prepared a Rs 350-crore special package for conservation and protection of lions in Gir.

“The state government has prepared a Rs 350-crore special package for conservation and protection of lions,” the minister said in a statement after visiting the Statue of Unity at Kevadiya in neighbouring Narmada district Saturday.

He stated that among other things, the government proposes to monitor lions through drones and engage a special ambulance van for big cats.

“Four ambulance vans equipped with the latest technology have been purchased for the treatment of lions. The collars for the big cats are being purchased from Germany,” the minister said.

The minister also said that he visited the site for reviewing and monitoring works on 35 upcoming projects.

The Supreme Court had a week ago directed the Gujarat government to relocate within six months a limited number of lions from Gir to the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

The court had also cancelled the ambitious plan of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to reintroduce cheetah in India.

Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a forest and wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat for protection of Asiatic lions. The Gir sanctuary is the only home for the Asiatic lions and attracts a large number of tourists from India and abroad.