Gandhinagar: Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has conceptualised and implemented the traffic island beautification project ‘The Gir: Pride of Gujarat’ at CH-0, Indroda Circle at Gandhinagar. The project was unveiled by Minister of State for Home and Revenue Shri Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of State for Agriculture, Energy and Petrochemicals Shri Mukeshbhai Patel along with Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Director-Corporate Affairs of RIL Shri Parimal Nathwani in presence of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Shri SK Chaturvedi (IFS), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Wildlife (I/C) Shri Nityanand Srivastav (IFS) and other dignitaries on August 30, 2022.

‘The Gir: Pride of Gujarat’ is a miniature replica of the Sasan Gir, the only habitat of the majestic Asiatic Lions in the world. The project is a part of RIL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and is developed in association with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

RIL has always been in forefront when it comes to giving back to the society. The project has been developed on around 55,000 square feet area, of which ‘The Gir’ is spread over 25,000 square feet area. The beautification project includes placing 28 life-size models of different kinds of wild animals and birds found in the Gir forest including the famous Asiatic Lions (12 numbers), Pangolin, Leopard, Hyena, Langur, Antelope, Spotted Dears, Python, Vulture, etc.

At the inauguration, Shri Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of State for Home and Revenue, said, “The Indroda circle will become a major attraction for all those visiting Gandhinagar from now onwards. This Gir replica gives us a vivid feel of the Gir lions, of the trees there, the feel of the forest and other animals. I compliment Reliance Foundation and Parimalbhai for their continuous efforts to promote Gir and its lions.”

On this occasion, Shri Parimal Nathwani, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Director (Corporate Affairs), RIL, said, “I have been passionate about the Asiatic Lion of Gir for over three decades. Our effort at RIL is to create more awareness about the Pride of Gujarat and India, as globally the Asiatic Lion is found only in the Gir in Gujarat.”

It may be noted that a replica of The Gir focusing on Asiatic Lions was conceptualised and set up few years back by RIL at the domestic terminal of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport in Ahmedabad. A few months back this Gir replica was redeveloped at a location outside the domestic terminal of SVPI Airport in Ahmedabad.