Amreli

The bandh call by the ruling BJP MLA Nailin Kotadiya today in 121 villages of altogether six talukas of the coastal Amreli district to press for their demand to withdraw the notification declaring the villages as ‘Eco-sensitive Zone’ evoked wide response.

The MLA with a large number of villagers took out a rally in Dhari taluka town from the local APMC ground to the forest office where a relay hunger strike began in presence of Mr. Kotadiya.

‘We have demanded the removal of the 121 villages, most of which are in three talukas Dhari, Sabarkundala and Khamba and remaining two in Jafarabad and one each in Rajula and Bagasar, from the eco sensitive zone as it was creating a lot of problems for them. We would continue our protest with at least 25 people doing fast at one time till our demands are accepted,’ the MLA from Dhari said adding he had earlier raised the issue before the forest minister too.

Most of the shops, roadside eateries, small auto and cycle repair shops in the villages remained closed in support of the bandh call.

Over two lakh people residing in these villages have been facing harassment from the forest department which has issued notices to close down their small businesses after the Asiatic lion’s sanctuary spread across 1500 square kilometers was notified as eco-sensitive zones, he said.

The notification bars people from digging bore wells, construction of pucca houses, mining of sand from rivers and even operating small eateries.

“This has deprived the people of their source of livelihood,” Mr Kotadia said.

”There are thousands of small eateries by the roadside existing since decades without causing any harm to the wildlife. The fact that the population of lions has been increasing over the years is a proof of the friendly co-existence between the man and the beast,” he pointed out.

The Asiatic lion’s sanctuary of Gir is celebrating its golden jubilee this year.

According to the latest census conducted this year, there are 523 lions, showing an increase of 112 lions in the last five years.

Earlier a hot exchange of word ensued between the senior most forest official of Dhari range Mr. Anshuman Sharma and Mr. Kotadiya when he arrived his office premises to hand over the memorandum of demands.