New Delhi : A startling revelation unfolded in Parliament on Thursday, painting a grim picture of the demise of 397 lions, including 182 cubs, in Gujarat between 2019 and 2021. Minister of State for Environment, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, laid bare these alarming statistics in a written reply to a question posed in the Rajya Sabha.
Breaking down the numbers by year, the somber figures are as follows: In 2019, 66 adult lions and 60 cubs succumbed to death, followed by 73 adult lions and 76 cubs in 2020, and 76 adult lions and 46 cubs in 2021. The gravest concern arises as around 10.53 percent of these deaths, including 3.82 percent of cub fatalities, were attributed to unnatural causes.
Responding to the alarming figures, Minister Choubey underscored the Central government’s commitment to lion conservation in Gujarat. The state receives financial aid under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats, focusing on initiatives like Asiatic lion conservation, public awareness about wildlife conservation, and habitat management.
Furthermore, the Minister shed light on the ongoing legal proceedings concerning the translocation of lions from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh, currently under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court. The decision to relocate is considered a crucial step towards ensuring the survival and genetic diversity of Asiatic lions.
This revelation raises important questions about the conservation efforts and the need for comprehensive strategies to safeguard the majestic Asiatic lion population.
