RAJKOT: While taking a stroll near the picturesque Aji Dam, one of the favourite recreational spots in Rajkot, there are chances that visitors may even spot lions!
‘Gujarat’s Pride’ has moved so close to the urban area that lions are seen barely 10 km from Saurashtra’s commercial capital. A lioness and two sub-adults (aged between two and three years) have been sauntering in Tramba, which is a stone’s throw from the city. The trio is moving around in Sardhar, Padasan, Kathrota, Halenda and other villages adjoining the city for the last 10 days.
Forest officials believe that the lions are exploring new locations and don’t rule out chances of the felines making this area their permanent home.
At the same time the forest department has no plan to take them back in Amreli or Junagadh district as demanded by cabinet minister and Jetpur MLA Jayesh Radadiya.
Earlier, the same pride was spotted in villages of Jetpur, Gondal, Jasdan and Vinchhiya talukas of the district and finally on the city’s outskirts in the last 10 days. Villagers have also reported hunting of animals in their vicinity. Incidents of at least 20 preyings have been reported to the department. However, officials say the villagers have not taken any objection and are learning to live peacefully with the lions.
Chief conservator of forest, Junagadh, S K Srivastava said, “There has been a lot of movement by this pride in the revenue (non-protected) area for a month now. It’s a natural dispersal and they may find new areas and corridors.”
Srivastav categorically denied any plan to shift these lions to Amreli or Junagadh forest. ““They have come as part of their natural movement,” he said.
Trackers and forest department staff are keeping a close watch on the movement of these lions. Simultaneously, they are also educating people about lion behaviour so as to avoid human-animal conflict in the future.
The villagers have also been convinced that they will be compensated for the loss of livestock as per the prevailing policy.
Bhushan Pandya, a member of state board for wildlife said, “The protected areas can’t be fenced and wild animals are bound to roam in revenue areas. It’s helpful for farmers also in the long run because they are facing crop damage by nilgai and wild boars.”
Villagers have been asked not to gather in big numbers if they spot the lions preying, lest it attacks them.