(IN)Take Action for Asiatic Lions, Sign Petition by SANCTUARY ASIA MAGAZINE

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Take Action for Asiatic Lions, " Sign Petition " by SANCTUARY ASIA MAGAZINE

 

Write a Letter

 

Please click at the link at

the bottom and sign petition / letter for Saving the critically endangered

ASIATIC LIONS on the SANCTUARY ASIA MAGAZINE

website…………

 

cmgujaratindia.com

 

The Asiatic Lion- Save the Species

 

 

Shri. Narendra Modi,

 

Chief Minister of Indian State of Gujarat,

 

Chief Minister Niwas,

 

Sec-20, Gandhinagar,

 

Gujarat.

 

 

Dear Sir,

 

Gir is the only remaining refuge for the Asiatic lions and is as much a cause of

pride for our country as it is a concern. The latest reports show that up to 17

lions have died between January and April 2007 in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and

surrounding forests. Nearly half of the deaths are because of poaching, some due

to the 10,000 odd open wells in and around the sanctuary and the others due to

natural causes.

 

There is no one single solution to all these problems. The moot issue is of

space. These big cats need large expanses of wilderness and healthy prey

populations. They have already strayed from the 1,412 sq. km. Gir Sanctuary and

settled in Amreli, Bhavnagar and even the Saurashtra coast. Many are outside the

protected zone, and therefore,

at considerable risk.

 

A number of consolidated steps have to be taken simultaneously to save the

species:

 

Satellite areas around Gir where lions have migrated to must be declared as PAs

and connecting corridors must be protected too. Digging of open wells in and

around the sanctuary must be made illegal. For those that already exist, farmers

must be legally required to build a parapet wall around them.The sanctuary

should be strictly off-limits to all industrial activities, including mining

and quarrying. The field staff must be strengthened and provided with the latest

training and equipment. Religious tourism must be strictly monitored.

Illegal encroachments and unregulated constructions should be immediately

removed. Vehicular traffic on the roads that cut across the sanctuary must be

stopped, particularly during the night. The railway line that passes through

this territory must be realigned. The key is to make the Asiatic lion valuable

to the people living around the sanctuary so that they become active

shareholders in its protection. The Maldharis and other locals must benefit from

tourism and trained to become an effective force for the lions. Voluntary

relocation of people living here must be encouraged. The revenue from tourism

must be plugged back into conservation. However, all tourism must be closely

monitored to ensure that it is not at the cost of the wildlife.The latest

techniques must be employed to regularly survey the lion population. And yes, a

second free-ranging population will have to be established outside Gujarat. The

Palpur-Kuno Sanctuary that has been identified for the relocation, must be

provided the highest level of protection. Other issues such as sufficient prey

base and containing the lions within the sanctuary must be addressed. The search

for other potential locations must also be redoubled, with experts from

Gujarat at the forefront of such a search, as they are in the best position to

advise us.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

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http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/takeaction/writeltr_gir2007.php