Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has announced a series of measures to enhance the safety of pilgrims visiting the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, including the construction of permanent check posts, deployment of forest trackers, and declaration of the Girnar and Datar stair routes as Silence Zones.

The decisions were taken under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel as part of the Forest and Environment Department’s efforts to strengthen safety arrangements for devotees visiting the Girnar hills.

According to the department, permanent check posts will be established at sensitive locations within the sanctuary where wildlife movement is frequent. These check posts will help ensure continuous monitoring and improve the safety of pilgrims.

A comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will also be prepared under the chairmanship of the Junagadh District Collector in coordination with all concerned government departments. The SOP will cover pilgrim safety, wildlife management, emergency response, and inter-departmental coordination.

To minimise disturbance to wildlife and reduce the possibility of human-wildlife conflict, the Girnar and Datar stair routes will be declared Silence Zones.

The Forest Department will also deploy 25 trained trackers on the Girnar hill to maintain a constant watch and assist pilgrims. In addition, thermal drone surveillance will be used to monitor wildlife movement across the sanctuary.

The government also plans to launch an awareness campaign to educate pilgrims and local residents about appropriate behaviour inside wildlife habitats and safety precautions while travelling through the sanctuary.

Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia said the state government is committed to ensuring the safety of pilgrims while maintaining ecological balance and conserving wildlife in the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary. DeshGujarat