Discuss the concerns with the Gujarat government’s stand on relocating the Asiatic lions. Also suggest measures to protect those lions, the last of the Asiatic lions in the wild. (200 words)
Refer – The Hindu
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
· In 2013, the Supreme Court issued an order to relocate the lions from Gujarat to the Kuno sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh to check against the threat of epidemic.
Gujarat's response & Concerns
· Pride – Gujarat has been unwilling to relocate its lions, calling them “its pride”.
· The big cat population in Gujarat is the last of the Asiatic lions in the wild and it has been restricted only to Gir National Forest and its surrounding areas.
· So, an outbreak of possible epidemic or natural calamity might wipe off the entire species.
· For example, 30% of the lion population in Tanzania’s Serengeti was killed due to an outbreak of a viral disease.
· The recent death of 23 lions in Gujarat’s Gir sanctuary is a significant example.
· Intense managerial response – When ill, lions are routinely picked up, medically treated, and then released.
· But, wildlife conservation does not entail treating wild animals for disease (in the way domestic animals are) as this can go against the processes of natural selection and ultimately compromises immunity.
· Intensive artificial medical treatment of wild animals does not augur well for long-term sustainability.
· Meta-population – It has also said that there are meta-populations in the State. (A meta-population is a group of populations that are separated by space but consist of the same species).
· Meta-population may be geographically separate but have interactions and have exchange of individuals and this does not address the main concern of creating geographically distant populations.
Suggestions
· A smaller population with limited genetic strength are more vulnerable to diseases and calamities than a large and widespread population.
· So, a geographically separate population of Asiatic lions needs to be created.
· Also, Gujarat government should work towards colonising new habitats outside the Gir landscape within the State.
· This is not for creating isolated populations but to increase the suitable lion range from its present, much smaller area to a larger area.
· The government should turn its attention to reducing the drivers of infectious disease, which includes controlling feral dog populations.
