Rajkot: Amid ongoing resistance by villagers against the proposed eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around Gir, home to Asiatic lions, the forest department has begun distributing leaflets to address misconceptions. Forest officials claimed that certain vested interests were exploiting farmers, inciting them against the ESZ for personal gain. Residents of 196 villages that would be part of the ESZ have held rallies and submitted memorandums demanding the cancellation of the notification, fearing that ...Read More

Gir: Lemon Tree Hotels announced that it has signed a licensing agreement for the Lemon Tree Hotel in Sasan Gir, Gujarat. Carnation Hotels, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels, will manage the property, which is anticipated to open in FY 2026. The Lemon Tree Hotel in Sasan Gir will feature 74 well-appointed rooms, a restaurant, a meeting room, a banquet hall, a swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness center. Vilas Pawar, CEO of managed and franchise business at Lemon Tree Hotels,...Read More

Gir: The union government has issued a preliminary notification to declare a total area of 184,466.20 hectares around the Gir Protected Area as an Eco-Sensitive Zone. According to this notification, the minimum distance from the sanctuary to the declared eco-sensitive zone area is set at 2.78 km, with a maximum distance of 9.50 km. Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera stated that in the new Eco-Sensitive Zone, a total of 17 river corridors and 4 important lion movement corridors will be covered. A t...Read More

Parimal Nathwani's "Call of the Gir" is an enchanting visual journey of the Gir Forest and its majestic Asiatic lions. This coffee table book, rich with more than 100 stunning photographs and vivid descriptions, invites readers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and unique ecosystem of Gir. The book is a visual feast, making it a must-have for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. While Nathwani's earlier book "Gir Lion: Pride of Gujarat" was about Gir Lions, this latest book "call...Read More

Ahmedabad: Wildlife enthusiast, conservationist, Rajya Sabha MP and Director-Corporate Affairs at Reliance Industries Ltd, Parimal Nathwani released a audio video folk song titled, ‘Gir Gajavti Aavi Sinhan’, dedicated to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on the occasion of World Lion Day 2024. The song has been written and composed in a traditional folk style and it talks about the majestic lioness in Gir, her characteristics and her aura. The song resonates with the folk essence of Gir ...Read More

Ahmedabad: Trees uprooted due to successive cyclones in Gir jungle should be removed to achieve grassland suitable for the roaming of lions, Rajya Sabha member Parimal Nathwani suggested today while interacting with media persons about his newly launched book on Gir jungle. Nathwani said he spoke to the Prime Minister about this during his recent meeting in the national capital. The Prime Minister had, in the same meeting, launched Nathwani's book. The meeting between Nathwani and the Prime Mini...Read More

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday granted the state government an additional two weeks to submit the high-level inquiry panel's report on the operations of the railways and the forest department, hold responsible officials accountable, and determine the cause of death of three lions on the railway tracks near Gir sanctuary in January. The bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal was hearing the suo motu PIL concerning the unnatural deaths of Asiatic lions in and around the Gir sanct...Read More

Porbandar: The Forest Department has begun relocating herbivores from Gir Sanctuary to Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Porbandar to provide a food source for lions. Using specially modified vehicles, 23 chital (spotted deer) have been successfully moved as of now.  Barda Wildlife Sanctuary offers a suitable habitat for Asiatic lions, similar to the Gir forests. Lions historically inhabited Barda until the late 19th century. In 2023, a male lion naturally returned to the area. However, Barda lack...Read More

Pipavav: A freight train's loco pilot saved the lives of a pride of 10 lions while they were resting on railway tracks near Pipavav Port. The incident occurred early in the morning when the loco pilot applied emergency brakes upon spotting the lions. As per directives from the Railway Board, loco pilots are operating trains at specified speeds and exercising caution. Mukesh Kumar Meena, the loco pilot of a freight train traveling from Pipavav Port Station to Pipavav Port Siding, noticed a ...Read More

Rajkot: The Forest Department has taken action against four individuals for encroaching on one hectare of Gir forest land near the Gadhiya Chavand sanctuary in the Dalkhaniya range, East Dhari Gir. The accused, allegedly cut down Kher and Teak trees, leveled the land, and created water ponds purportedly to host illegal lion shows. The forest department has registered a case this week and issued a summons under the Wildlife Protection Act. The accused include Sarla Hasaliya, Shaifali Hasaliya, a...Read More