GS Advance Program for UPSC Mains 2025, Cohort - 1 Starts from 24th October 2024 Click Here for more information
Wells, rail tracks turn death traps for Gir lions
Context:
- 32 lions died due to “unnatural causes” in two years in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat.
Unnatural cases:
- In 2016, 12 lions died, while in 2017, 20 lions, including cubs, died due to unnatural cases.
- Total of 184 lions died in the State in two years: 104 in 2016 and 80 in 2017.
Safety measures:
- Parapet walls need to be built around walls as soon as possible.
- There are 27 open wells in Amreli district near the sanctuary.
- Construction of fences along the railway tracks passing through Amreli district.
- Building speed breakers on roads passing through the sanctuary area.
- As per the 2015 census , there were 523 lions in and around the Gir sanctuary.
Gir Forest National Park:
- Gir Forest National Park is a wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat.
- It was established to protect Asiatic lions, who frequent the fenced-off Devalia Safari Park, along with leopards and antelopes.
