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Now, harassing a lion to be treated akin to hunting in Gujarat

The state government has decided to impose Article-9 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, under which actor Salman Khan was booked for the case of killing black bucks in Rajasthan

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It will be considered equivalent to hunting a lion if anyone is caught harassing, chasing on vehicles or video shooting lions in Gujarat. The state government has decided to impose Article-9 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, under which actor Salman Khan was booked for the case of killing black bucks in Rajasthan.

Forest minister Ganpatsinh Vasava made this announcement on Tuesday in Gandhinagar as an effort to control the cases of harassing big cats in forests of Gir Asiatic lions sanctuary and national park in Saurashra region. A video of a man had gone viral in which the person was seen teasing a lioness with a hen few days ago.

"A couple of incidents of lion harassment were reported from different places. We have decided to book the offenders under cases of hunting the lion. The person booked shall be liable to face seven years of imprisonment," Vasava said.

"We have also declared 109 sq km of forest area and government held uncultivated land in Amreli and Bhavnagar districts as conservation reserve. With this, forest staff will guard this area and actions under Wildlife Protection Act can be taken against those who harass lions. The area of lions habitat has been included under wild life circle of Junagadh and another division in Amreli district will be created," Vasava added.

The government has also decided to raise new stations and entry gates in this area and wireless network will be developed for communication of forest staff. More lion trackers will be appointed and new recruitment in staff of forest department also will be conducted.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR TOURISTS?

  • New tourism zone at Chikhalkuba village in Amreli district
     
  • New lion safari in Girnar mountains
     
  • Rs 30 cr budget for tourist facilities development at lions’ park at Sasan and Ambardi
     
  • Personal permits to be increased from 50 to 60 on weekends and from 30 to 50 on weekdays
     
  • Trip of Gypsy for tourists in Sasan lion safari will be increased from 750 — 1,110 a week.
     
  • As many as 6,660 tourists can travel in lion safari in week in place of 4,500 tourists a week
     
  • New routes in tourism zone in Sasan lion’s safari to be developed
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