Junagadh

As many as 2300 employees of Gujarat Forest department have started lion census in forest and revenue areas of Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

According to Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Shri AC Pant, counting of lions takes place in Gir since 1936. Ongoing census is 14th in series. In 1936 there were 287 lions, in 2010 there were 411 lions. He said barring Surendranagar all areas of Saurashtra has presence of lions.

According to Deputy Forest Conservator Dr. Sandeepkmar, lions were in area of 16,000 sq km in year 2010, while the present census is going on in area covering 22,000 sqkm. 8 regions, 21 zones and 106 sub-zones and 625 census units are marked for counting. DCF and senior CCF level officers are supervising the process. On Zonal level, DCF level officers are guiding the cadre. 625 pelple have joined the process on 2nd May. They are well trained. For the first time, women are participating in census process. 150 women including beatguard and forester are participating. Selected 250 volunteers out of 600 who were willing to offer their services are also participating in census. Local team of two-three persons will accompany those participating in census. They are given a special kit for 24 hours stay in forest. 18 medical teams are on stand by to offer their service. A control room and computer lab is supporting and coordinating this process according to CCF Dr. AP Singh. Location of lion will be entered through Global Positioning System(GPS). It will be attached to a map. This process will result into a map representing positions of lions. The mapping and coordination process will take place on 4-5 May. This process will filter duplication of migrated lions.

DeshGujarat