Concerned over lions death, Gujarat govt to double ‘well parapet’ subsidy soon

Junagadh/Ahmedabad

Concerned over the deaths of the big cats in Gir forests of Gujarat, the only abode of the Asiatic lions, the state government is likely to substantially increase the subsidy given to make wall (parapet) around the open wells in and around the over 1400 square kilometer jungles.

Despite the constant increase in the numbers of the lions (359 in 2005 to 411 in 2010 and 523 in 2015), the fact remains that in the last few years over 300 lions have lost their lives in and around Gir. Of them many died owing to falling in the open wells.

Recently a lioness was found dead inside a farm well in Dhokadwa village in Jasadhar range of the Gir-East while another such accident was reported from Khilavad area. As per the official data almost 150 lions have lost their lives in last two years in and around Gir forest of them 26 in last two months alone.

The in-charge Deputy Conservator of Forest of Gir, Mr. Sandeep Kumar today said that of around 24 thousand open wells a large number have been walled with the help of NGO’s and Corporate entities in the past few years. ‘But still a big number of wells remain unsafe. Among these over a thousand are bigger wells situated in the farms and are more grave a danger for the big cats. The forest department has put forth a proposal to increase the government subsidy from current Rs. 8000 per well to Rs 15000 which is likely to get approval very soon. This doubling up of the subsidy will help a good deal in dealing with the problem of open wells,’ Mr. Kumar said.

The unofficial estimates put the number of open wells to around 10,000.

To a query regarding the possibility of some of the lions being intentionally made to fall in the well by the locals with an intention to get rid of them, Mr. Kumar completely disagreed.

‘Lions unlike other wild animals are completely different and quite friendly to the local farmers. Unless disturbed they don’t interfere with human activities The farmers rather more than welcome a lion in their fields as it ensures that no blue bull or other crop-destroying animals would dare to venture in to their fields, he said.

– DeshGujarat