3 lions run-over by goods train in Gir forest area of Gujarat

Amreli: In a tragic incident, 3 young Asiatic lions, two male and one female, were run over by a speeding goods-train in Gir forests of Gujarat, which was the sole abode of such big cats across the globe.

Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Junagadh and spokesperson of forest department D T Vasavada today said that the accident took place in revenue area near Borala village under Savarkundala range of the Eastern part of Gir forest.

‘The goods train was going from Botad to Pipavav, a famous port in the Amreli district. At around 1245 am past midnight, a pride of six lions was also moving on the same track. Three of them, a male aged around 2 years, another male and a female both aged around 1.5 years were run over by the train and died on the spot,’ Vasavada said.

 

 

Terming the accident as unfortunate, he said that an enquiry has been ordered in to it. ‘The probe will be about speed of the goods-train at the time of the accident and also the negligence of trackers and forest staffs. Strict action will be taken against whoever found guilty,’ he said.

Notably, the Gir forests, spread in more than 1800 square kilometers across three districts of Gir-Somnath, Junagadh and Amreli in Saurashtra region of Gujarat is the only abode of Asiatic lions. It houses 523 lions according to the last five yearly lion’s census of May 2015.

 

Railway tracks cross through the jungle on which goods train bringing containers from Pipavav port and passengers train ply regularly. Despite the steps taken by the government and funds allocated for fencing and other steps, the incidents of lions and other animals run-over takes place in the area. However, the incidents like more than one lion getting run-over seldom happens.

DeshGujarat