Conservation issues and WWF-India’s interventions
Conservation issues
The lions face the usual threats of poaching and habitat degradation. Three major roads and a railway track pass through the Gir Protected Area, the Asiatic Lion’s last remaining habitat. Also, there are three big temples inside the PA that attract large number of pilgrims, particularly during certain times of the year. But notably, the steps taken by the PA management and the Government of Gujarat, have led to an overall improvement in the habitat conditions and the population of lions has been increasing steadily since 1974. One such step was the relocation of about 50 maldhari nesses outside Gir, which led to improvement in lion population and its habitat.
But the increased population has resulted in their spill over the PA. Therefore, at present, the most pressing threat to the lion population of the Gir PA comes from the increasing hostility toward them from the resident human population. Due to the increase in population, about 100 lions stay outside the PA and face conflicts with humans. Though the conflict is not high now, with changing lifestyles and values these can increase in future.
An emerging threat is the number of lions falling in the open wells in the fields around Gir NP. The main reason is that wells in arable fields are unguarded. These wells have been made at ground level without any protection like parapet walls around them.
Ultimately, this single population is very susceptible to catastrophic events. Increasing the effective range of lions by connecting protected areas with lion-friendly corridors and establishing a second lion population elsewhere in India through translocation are required management options that need to materialize in the medium term future.
But the increased population has resulted in their spill over the PA. Therefore, at present, the most pressing threat to the lion population of the Gir PA comes from the increasing hostility toward them from the resident human population. Due to the increase in population, about 100 lions stay outside the PA and face conflicts with humans. Though the conflict is not high now, with changing lifestyles and values these can increase in future.
An emerging threat is the number of lions falling in the open wells in the fields around Gir NP. The main reason is that wells in arable fields are unguarded. These wells have been made at ground level without any protection like parapet walls around them.
Ultimately, this single population is very susceptible to catastrophic events. Increasing the effective range of lions by connecting protected areas with lion-friendly corridors and establishing a second lion population elsewhere in India through translocation are required management options that need to materialize in the medium term future.
WWF-India interventions
The Asiatic lion is a priority species for conservation for WWF-India. Project has been initiated to construct barricades around open wells around the Gir NP to decrease the incidences of lions falling into such wells. The aim is towards long term conservation of the species, and this also includes having a viable wild population of Asiatic lion at an additional place.
The following aspects are important for long term conservation of Asiatic lion in India:
The following aspects are important for long term conservation of Asiatic lion in India:
- Strengthening overall protection measures
- Habitat management in Gir
- Mitigating Conflicts outside Gir PA
- Greater Gir concept
- Relocation of villages Jambuthala, Timbarwa and Ghodavadi villages.