The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to take all possible measures to put an end to the lion deaths happening in the Gir region due to the three major causes, namely, spread of virus, open wells, and electrocution.
The court directed that the suggestions made by the experts consulted by the government should be strictly followed and action taken report should be submitted before the court in a periodic manner, with the first such report to be submitted by January 15, 2019.
The directions came from the division bench of chief justice R Subhash Reddy and justice VM Pancholi in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) initiated by the high court over the frequent lion deaths in the state.
Notably, 23 lions have recently died creating a hue and cry and exposing the state's apathy towards the pride of Gujarat.
Meanwhile, the counsel for the Centre on Wednesday clarified that he is yet to get any instructions from the union government regarding the fund allocation for the conservation of lions.
Amicus curiae Hemang Shah had earlier pointed out that the Centre is providing Rs 15 lakh annually per tiger under Project Tiger, whereas lions are not that lucky and get a meagre funding of Rs 95,000.
The division bench while expressing their satisfaction over the measures initiated by the state government to contain lion deaths issued the following directions:
End illegal electrification of fences by farmers
The court ordered the state government to create awareness among farmers in the Gir region to curb the practice of electrification of fences for crop protection from damage by lion or other animals. The bench ordered that the state government shall constitute special flying squads for periodical inspection of farmlands and take strict action against those farmers who refuse to comply.
Comply with the suggestions of experts
The court also instructed the state government to comply with the suggestions made by the wildlife and veterinary experts consulted by the government on the issue to contain the spread of virus and any subsequent deaths due to the same. The court also directed that the state government should continue to strictly monitor the movement of lions so that any of them showing symptoms of the virus can be isolated and treated. It was also directed that the state should not lose any time in treating a lion found infected or showing symptoms of the virus.
Create awareness about availability of subsidy for parapet wall
With open wells being a major reason for the death of lions in the Gir region, the court directed the state government to undertake wide publicity of the subsidy schemes made available for construction of parapet walls around open wells. Notably, the state had earlier submitted that there is a provision for providing a maximum subsidy of Rs 16,000 to farmers for erecting a parapet wall around an open well and it intends to promote the same by reaching out to farmers. The court also directed the state government that the concerned mamlatdars of the districts of Gir-Somnath, Junagarh, and Amreli, shall file periodic reports on the progress made in the construction of parapet walls around open wells. As per the state's own submission, there are around 18,000 open wells in the three districts which pose a major threat for the lion population.
FALLING IN LINE
- Amicus curiae Hemang Shah had earlier pointed out that the Centre is providing Rs 15 lakh annually per tiger under Project Tiger, whereas lions are not that lucky and get a meagre funding of Rs 95,000.
- Court instructed state government to comply with suggestions made by the wildlife and veterinary experts consulted by the government on the issue to contain the spread of virus and any subsequent deaths of the animals due to the same.
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 "Lions")
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