Incidents of man-animal conflict in Gir reach an alarming level

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2-1-2008

Incidents of man-animal conflict in Gir reach an alarming level

Indian Express By Sibte Hussain Bukhari

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Incidents-of-mananimal-conflict-in-Gir-r\

each-an-alarming-level/256684/

 

Junagadh, January 1 Incidents of man-animal conflict in the famous Gir forest

have reached an alarming level. A total of 74 leopards were caged from the

revenue area surrounding Gir in 2007. In addition, two separate incidents of

minor boys being killed by leopards in the adjoining area of Gir forest were

reported. This apart, there were more than half a dozen more incidents of fights

reported between humans and the big cats in 2007.

When contacted, deputy conservator of forest (Gir west) B P Pati admitted that

in recent time, conflict between human and the big cats have increased. " In

2007, in Gir west forest division alone — 48 leopards and two cubs have been

caged and shifted from the revenue area. In addition to this— 13 lions along

with 13 cubs have also been shifted to the forest interiors from an area falling

under this division, " said Pati.

 

Pati said the increasing population of the lions and leopards, coupled with

the shrinking natural habitat, lack of wasteland, were the main reasons behind

these conflicts.

 

In addition, some other reasons responsible were possibly due to change in

cropping patterns in an area adjoining the forest. " Particularly mango farms and

sugar cane fields are providing a convenient natural habitat for the big cats

particularly leopards. Many a times, the third or fourth generation of leopards

have been growing and taking shelter in sugarcane cultivated areas of namely

Talala, Kodinar, Una and Sutrapada taluka, " said Pati.

 

Deputy conservator of forest (Gir east) J S Solanki, said, " as many as 24

leopards have been relocated in an area falling under Gir east forest division

during 2007. " Population increase and adaptive migration among big cats were the

prime reasons for man-animal conflict, " he said.

 

A senior forest official said, while a leopard could make its habitat in

grassland or vidi land near water pockets, a lion required at least seven sq km

area for its territory.

 

The total area of the Gir forest measures around 1,800 sq km, and according to

a 2005 census, which estimated a total of 359 plus lions, the minimum forest

areas required to accommodate the 'king of the jungle' is 2,500 sq km. " This

indicates a shortfall of 700 sq km forest area, " said Solanki.

 

Summary of the recent incident as listed below:

 

*November 17, 2007: A boy aged of about 3 years was killed in a sugarcane

field located on the outskirts of Bhimdeval village near Talala.

 

*December 15, 2007: A leopard attacked a woman in a sugarcane field at Sawani

village near Prabhas Patan town. The woman fended off the big cat but received

injuries in the process.

 

*December 23, 2007: A lion attacked a farmer on the outskirts of Bhacha

village near Una. The farmer received stitches.

 

 

Together Lets Save Gir and Asiatic Lion

Update provided by:

Kishore Kotecha

Wildlife Conservation Trust

Rajkot – Gujarat – India

Ph: +91 98240 62062, Email: info

Web: www.asiaticlion.org, News Blog: http://asiatic-lion.blogspot.com