(IN) Good example of 'Conservation through local community'.

[Guest guest]

Kishore Kotecha's Comments: Following story is a very good example of

'Conservation through local community'. This is the unique feature in whole

world where such an extent of sentimental involvement by local people is

shown for conservation of co-dwelling animals. This is shown depicted by Gir

people since Nawab times (since 1850 AD!! )

 

12-5-07

 

Babaravidi, a maternity home for lionesses

 

Times Newsline By: Sibte Husain Bukhari

 

<http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=235921>

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=235921

 

Junagadh, May 11: Babaravidi has two unique features. While lions fall prey

to paochers elsewhere, here they are safe in while living and breeding.

Besides, people living in surrounding villages are lion-friendly and they do

care a lot for the big cats, quite like their own family.

 

Babaravidi, a reserved forest area spread over 1,500 hectare outside Gir

forest, is better known as a maternity home for lionesses. Located at about

15 km from Gir sanctuary in Maliya taluka of Junagadh district, it is

surrounded by revenue area and a large human population. Wild cats find this

place to be an ideal labour room and a safe haven for their newborn cubs.

 

The area with plain grassland provides suitable atmosphere to big cats. At

least one dozen villages are situated along its border. The residents of

these villages are lion-friendly and they consider themselves as parents of

mother lionesses.

 

According to Babara village sarpanch Kalabhai Pithiya, his family has been

engaged in agriculture in this area for decades. He says a group of lions

came here about five years back, and since then, the lions have made it

their permanent home. " And when the big cats conceive, they come here for

delivering the cubs, " he said.

 

" When the lion poaching incidents surfaced, I convened a meeting. People

from eight villages, especially youths and farmers, attended. They formed

alert groups in each village to ensure the safety and security of the lions,

particularly in this region, " the sarpanch said.

 

A septuagenarian of Babara village said: " It is our tradition that married

daughters visit their parents' home for delivery; we treat the lionesses and

their cubs with the same feelings. " '

 

Villages like Babara, Pankawa, Chuladi, Pithiya, Dharampur, Juner, Vandervad

and Itali are located on the periphery of Babaravidi. People living in these

villages mostly belong to Aahir and Koli community and are farmers. " Lions

are symbols of power, so we take care of these animals like our family

members, " said Haridas, a farmer.

 

" To provide drinking water facility to domestic as well as wild animals,

particularly roaming lions, water holes have been built in almost all

farmlands here. Beside, if lions are found trapped in wells, our youth are

always there to lend a helping hand, " said farmers of these villages.