Lions of Gujarat | Pride and politics

Rising lion numbers and corresponding human and industrial development have led to elevated man-animal battle in Gir. Everyone agrees the lions wish to maneuver. Whether it might be exterior Gujarat is the place points keep caught

ISSUE DATE: May 15, 2023 | UPDATED: May 5, 2023 11:27 IST

CATWALK: A lioness crosses a freeway in Liliya village, Amreli district, throughout the Greater Gir space, whereas villagers oblivious to her presence stroll on. (Photo: Rajan Joshi)

The thriving inhabitants of asiatic lions in Gir has been a wildlife success story for quite a few years now. Ironically, this very triumph of conservation has now become significantly of a obligation. The number of Asiatic lions has steadily risen over the earlier 5 a few years throughout the remaining abode of the species. They elevated from 284 in 1990 to 674 as per the 2020 census. But human inhabitants, industrialisation and urbanisation have moreover risen in tandem, leading to an inevitable man-lion battle that is proving to be an increasing number of detrimental every to the lions and the folks. The lions have moreover fallen prey to deadly sicknesses such as a result of the canine distemper virus by benefit of being cooped up in a single geographical space.

Published By:

Arindam Mukherjee

Published On:

May 5, 2023