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AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday said that Asiatic lions are the pride of not only Gujarat but the whole of Asia and expected the government to take prompt steps to protect the wild cats. The court urged all the officials working in the Gir sanctuary to look after the safety of the lions.
A bench of Justice NV Anjaria and Justice AP Thakar called for protection of big cats. The court was seeking answers from the Railways and the state government on the proposed project of gauge conversion of tracks in Gir sanctuary. The court sought response of amicus curiae Hemang Shah’s report and his demand to quash the proposal to allot 150 hectares of forest land to the Railways for upgrading the tracks to broad gauge and for their electrification.
Asking the Railways to clarify its stand on the proposed project in the sanctuary, the High Court sought details about the existing railway lines and frequency of trains. The court also sought to know the number of passengers per day and the accidents involving lions and trains. Railways will also have to explain the impact of the track upgrade on wildlife, especially lions.
The court is hearing a suo motu PIL seeking protection of lions in and around the Gir sanctuary. This is in the background of the state government informing the assembly three years ago that 184 lions were killed in the last two years.
During the hearing, the bench said, ‘Asian lions are not only the pride of Gujarat, but the pride of the whole of Asia. The government is expected to take immediate steps to protect the feral cats. It further said: “We reiterate that such measures are expected not only from the State Government but also from all officers working in the sanctuary area.”
The amicus curiae has filed an application excluding the proposals for track change and electrification, laying of oil and gas pipelines through the Gir Sanctuary buffer zone and laying fiber optic cables. The application, filed earlier this year, cited news reports and demanded immediate withdrawal of the projects.
The High Court inquired from the state government about its stand on gauge conversion and electrification. The Public Prosecutor submitted that the proposal is at an early stage. The Railways had only placed the proposal before the State Wildlife Board (SBWL), which forwarded it to the state government. The proposal has been returned to SBWL for reconsideration as some issues were not addressed at all.
“The state is the protector of the lions. It is responsible for the sanctuary. The opinion of the state government (on the proposal of the railways) is absolutely mandatory,” the public prosecutor assured the court. “The proposal will go to the Center only after careful consideration of every aspect. But we have not taken any opinion as the stage has not come.” The petitioner said: “Unless SBWL reconsiders our remarks, it will not proceed.” The High Court has asked the state government and the Railways to file affidavits on the subject by October 12.
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