GANDHINAGAR: The death of 313 lions in the Gir sanctuary in the years 2019 and 2020 figured prominently in the proceedings of the Gujarat assembly on Friday, as the state government provided figures of lion deaths in the Gir sanctuary.
Opposition party MLAs demanded to know the reasons for such a high number of deaths of lions in the sanctuary. In the discussion, state forests minister Ganpat Vasava said that between 2015 and 2020, there has been a 29% increase in the number of lions in the sanctuary because of successful conservation efforts of the state government.
Apart from seeking details on the number of lions, lionesses and cubs which have died in the past two years, Lathi MLA Virji Thummar also asked what steps have been taken by the government to prevent deaths of the lions because of unnatural causes.
Providing figures, the forests minister said that of the 71 lions which died in the two-year period, 69 died of natural causes and two died of other causes. A total of 90 lionesses dies in 2019 and 2020, of which 77 died because of natural causes while 13 died because of other causes. Among cubs, 144 died because of natural causes and 8 died as a result of other causes, adding up to a total of 152 cub deaths in two years.
Thummar alleged that carcasses of animals were being thrown in forest areas of the Gir sanctuary and lions were dying after consuming these. In reply, minister Vasava said the allegations will be probed and action will be taken if they are found to be true.