THE ENDANGERED Asiatic lions will have a second home outside Gujarat.
The Supreme Court on Monday (April 15) directed the Centre to shift the Asiatic lions from the Gir forest in Gujarat to Kuno sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, saying the big cats need a second home to prevent their extinction due to some epidemic or large forest fire.
The apex court, however, quashed the Environment and Forest Ministry’s decision to introduce African cheetahs in Kuno sanctuary from Namibia, saying it ‘is arbitrary and illegal and clear violation of the statutory requirements provided under the Wildlife Protection Act’.
A bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and C K Prasad turned down the contention of Gujarat that the Asiatic lion is a family member and cannot be parted with. It suggested that an exclusive parliamentary legislation be enacted for preservation and protection of endangered species.
The bench said the number of Asiatic lions that would be moved to the sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh would depend upon the density of prey base and other related factors, which will be determined by a committee comprising of MoEF officials, Chief Wildlife Wardens of the two states and technical experts.
‘We are of the view that the various decisions taken by National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) that the Asiatic lion should have a second home to save it from extinction due to catastrophes like epidemic, large forest fire etc, which could result in extinction, is justified.
‘Ministry of Environment and Forest’s (MoEF) decision for re-introduction of Asiatic Lion from Gir to Kuno is that of utmost importance so as to preserve the Asiatic Lion, an endangered species, which cannot be delayed.
‘MoEF is, therefore, directed to take urgent steps for re-introduction of Asiatic Lion from Gir forests to Kuno,’ it said.
While giving the green signal to move the lions, the court directed the Centre to take urgent steps for preservation of other endangered native species, such as the Great Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican, Dugong, the Manipur Brow Antlered Deer and the Wild Buffalo.
