By our correspondent, Gandhinagar, 25 April 2013

Gujarat State Board of Wild Life’s emergency meeting chaired by Chief Minister Narendra Modi was held today in Gandhinagar in connection with recent Supreme Court verdict on translocation of Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh.

The board members were briefed about Gujarat government’s seven affidavits in last seven years submitted in the Supreme Court. The members were also informed about how Supreme Court admired success of Gujarat government and the people of Gujarat in the area of conservation of lions.

All non-government members of the board expressed strong feelings against translocation of lions to Kuno-Palpur with logical points. They requested the government to file review petition against the verdict. A decision in this regard was taken unanimously in the meeting.

Board members were of opinion that all dimensions of Supreme Court verdict on translocation of lions should be studied and best legal opinion should be sought. It seems that the court has taken the recommendations of National Board of Wild Life in consideration, and state government’s points are ot accepted. In view of provision of federal structure of Indian constitution, if state board’s representation is not given importance, this issue is suitable for serious consideration.

State Forest and Enviornment minister, ministers of state for concerned ministry, Chief Secretary, senior Secretaries, non government members, senior secretary of Forest and Enviornment department, Forest department’s senior officers attended the meeting.