Lion Movement to Be Monitored with Drones, Watchtowers at Shetrunjay Hill in Palitana

Gandhinagar: With Asiatic lions increasingly being spotted around the holy Shetrunjay Hill in Palitana, the Gujarat Forest Department has planned a series of measures to ensure the safety of thousands of pilgrims visiting the prominent Jain pilgrimage site.

Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and MoS Pravin Mali today held a meeting with Jain leaders of the Shri Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi to discuss measures for the safe movement of pilgrims and the protection of wildlife in the area.

The Forest Department has been closely monitoring lion movement around Shetrunjay Hill, where thousands of pilgrims undertake the foot pilgrimage every year. Officials and forest personnel have also been deployed to assist pilgrims and prevent any incidents involving wildlife.

Modhwadia said the Forest Department’s arrangements during the last Phagun pilgrimage were appreciated by the Jain community. He said similar measures would be strengthened for future pilgrimages.

As part of the proposed arrangements, day-and-night monitoring of lion movement through drones, four prefabricated watchtowers, four prefabricated centre-cum-cabins, and continuous tracking and scanning will be carried out. The government will also consider declaring the area a silent zone to minimise disturbances to wildlife.

The Forest Department also plans to engage local youth on a temporary basis for lion tracking and assisting with pilgrim safety. The pilgrimage route will also be repaired and improved while keeping environmental considerations in mind.

The minister directed Forest Department officials to make the necessary arrangements and ensure that the required facilities are put in place.

Pilgrims advised to avoid night travel

According to the Forest Department’s observations and analysis of lion movement in the area over the past year, lions generally do not attack humans without provocation. However, the minister stressed that pilgrims should follow safety precautions.

“For the safety of both wildlife and pilgrims, it is important that pilgrims begin their journey after sunrise and complete it before sunset,” he said.

Jain leaders from the Shri Anandji Kalyanji organisation said the community has had a positive experience working with the Forest Department on wildlife and environmental protection. They said pilgrims are regularly advised to undertake the pilgrimage in a disciplined and peaceful manner and avoid any activity that could disturb wildlife.

They also acknowledged the role of Forest Department officers and personnel, who, they said, remain available to assist pilgrims whenever required.

Drone surveillance, watchtowers and tracking discussed

A presentation was made at the meeting on the proposed measures for Shetrunjay Hill. Discussions covered public awareness and coordination, forest and wildlife conservation, infrastructure and habitat management, tracking and scanning, prefabricated watchtowers, prefabricated centre-cum-cabins, human resources and training, drone technology, and project management consultancy.

The meeting also discussed the proposed silent zone and special arrangements for the Six Gaum Yatra.

Principal Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department Vinod Rao, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Jaipal Singh, Shri Anandji Kalyanji organisation official and industrialist Dr Sudhir Mehta, trustee Shripalbhai, Junagadh Circle Chief Conservator of Forests Mohan Ram, Bhavnagar DFO Yogesh Desai, and other senior Forest Department officials were present at the meeting. DeshGujarat