New Delhi: Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme – Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat (CSS-IDWH), the Central Government has released Rs. 23.16 crore for Asiatic Lions, Rs. 75.86 crore for Elephants and Rs. 1010.69 crore for Tigers in the last three years. The Government of India (GoI) along with Government of Gujarat has launched a project titled “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project” with total budget of Rs. 97.85 crore. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Babul Supriyo provided the information in Rajya Sabha on July 8, 2019 while replying to a question raised by MP Shri Parimal Nathwani.

According to the statement of the minister, GoI released Rs. 1.09 crore, Rs. 2.24 crore and Rs. 19.83 crore in the year 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively under CSS-IDWH for conservation of Asiatic Lions. Similarly, it released Rs. 21.20 crore, Rs. 24.90 crore and Rs. 29.76 crore under CSS- Project Elephant for the same three years. Under the scheme, the Centre released Rs. 342.25 crore, Rs. 345 crore and Rs. 323.44 crore respectively for CSS-Project Tiger in the last three years.

Shri Parimal Nathwani wanted to know about the steps being taken by the Forest Department for conservation of Asiatic Lions, budget allocated and released by Government for conservation of the Asiatic Lions vis-a-vis Tigers and Elephants in the last three years and whether Government mulls opening up the modern and world class diagnostic facilities for the Lions and Elephants.

The minister said that the State Government of Gujarat has taken legal, administrative and financial provisions for protection of Asiatic Lion in Gir, Gujarat. The legal provision includes declaring additional lion habitat area as Sanctuary/ National Park. The financial provisions are for strengthening, protection and surveillance, infrastructure, transport/ communication, health infrastructure, and man animal conflict reduction measures.

The Gujarat Forest Department has also declared Pania, Mitiyala and Girnar sanctuary, bringing additional area of 236.73 km of Lion habitat, under Wildlife (Protection), Act, 1972, he said.

According to the statement of the minister, the Government of Gujarat has allocated Rs. 231 crore over a period of 5 years for long term Lion conservation, with main focus on reducing Man-Animal conflict. It comprises of new rescue centre, rescue teams, Rapid response team, strengthening of existing protection and surveillance infrastructure, transport/ communication infrastructures etc. The State Forest Department has introduced 3 years package of wildlife health care and veterinary support team, including manpower and equipment.

Veterinary hospitals are equipped with fully Automatic Biochemistry Analyzer, Himotology Analyzer, Sonography machines, Digital X-ray machines, Leminar Airflow Machine, Bacteriological Incubator, Oxymeter, Autoclave, Stereo Microscope and Compound Microscope etc., said the minister. Awareness programmes conducted for active co-operation of local people and appointment of ‘Vanya Prani Mitra’ (Wildlife Friend) in villages around Gir area.

DeshGujarat