Centre declares ESZ around Gir to protect Asiatic Lions

Ira Singh
Khabar Khabaron Ki,27 Sep’24

The Gujarat government has recently announced that the Centre has designated 1.84 lakh hectares surrounding the Gir Protected Area, home to the Asiatic lions, as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), according to official release.The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) reportedly noted that the move is intended to strike a balance between the protection of the lion habitat and sustainable development in the area.

According to information,the newly established ESZ will encompass 1,84,466.20 hectares, which includes 24,000 hectares of forest area and 1.59 lakh hectares of non-forest land. The zone is set to include 196 villages, 17 river corridors, and four key lion movement corridors, enhancing the protective measures for these majestic creatures, as stated in an official release. The distance of the Eco-Sensitive Zone from the sanctuary will range from 2.78 kilometers to 9.50 kilometers.

The decision was informed by a comprehensive analysis conducted by the state’s Forest and Environment Department, which incorporated 10 years of radio-collar-based lion movement data, documented incidents of lions hunting their prey, and critical corridors in the villages surrounding the Gir Protected Area,stated release.This initiative comes at a pivotal time as the population of Asiatic lions continues to expand, prompting them to venture beyond the confines of the Gir Protected Area.

According to information, currently Gujarat has dedicated 1,468.16 square kilometers for the protection of lions and wildlife, which includes the Gir National Park, as well as the Gir, Paniya, and Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuaries. According to regulations from the Supreme Court and the central government, it is mandatory to declare ESZs around protected areas. Until the official notification of the ESZ, a 10-kilometer buffer zone has been enforced around Gir.

The eco-sensitive zone will impact 196 villages across three districts: 59 villages from Junagadh district (including Junagadh, Visavadar, Malia Hatina, and Mendarda talukas), 72 villages from Amreli district (encompassing Dhari, Khambha, and Savarkundla talukas), and 65 villages from Gir-Somnath district (covering Una, Gir Somnath, Kodinar, and Talala talukas).

Situated in the Saurashtra region, the Gir Protected Area stands out as the only habitat outside Africa where wild lions are flourishing, making it the last bastion for Asiatic lions in Gujarat.Spread over 1468.16 sq km, it forms the core habitat of the endangered Asiatic lions whose population was estimated to be 674 in 2020. The largest compact tract of forest in Gujarat, it is home to 41 species of mammals, 338 species of birds, 47 species of reptiles, 10 species of amphibians, more than 2,000 species of insects, 142 species of trees, 71 species of shrubs, 279 species of herbs, 91 species of climbers and 48 species of grass, establishing it as a significant biodiversity hotspot.