The Government of Gujarat’s Forest and Environment department has planned to shift and relocate 100 Maldhari(cattle keeper) families from the Gir Asiatic Lion Sanctuary in the year 2009-10.

Madharis will be shifted and relocated. In state budget presented this week by Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, sum of Rs. 10,00,000 per family has been sanctioned for this cause. Gir lion sanctuary is world’s last abode of Asiatic lions.

According to state budget documents, professional services will be obtained through outsourcing for preparation of management plan for Gir National Park and Sanctuaries. In addition the technical services required the mobile laboratory within Forensic Science laboratory for Wild Ass sanctuary will also be obtained through outsourcing.

Meanwhile in another major initiative proposed in the budget for the Forest and Environment department, the state government has proposed a 100 percent centrally sponsored new Scheme for Kutchh Biosphere Reserve to the central government. For this scheme, an amount of Rs. 2,96,25,000/ has been sanctioned by the Government of Gujarat. The scheme is about conservation of the unique habitat both inside and out side the Kutchh Biosphere Reserve. Conservation and propagation of threatened species is proposed along with Soil Moisture Conservation.