Junagadh, March 31: With a spurt in incidents of
poaching in the Gir sanctuary, the Gujarat government has
decided to send two companies of the State Reserve Police
(SRP) to guard the endangered Asiatic lions.
The step comes after three lions were found killed in
Babaria range of the sanctuary here yesterday which has taken
the toll of lions killed by poachers to six this month.
"We are sending two companies of SRP to Babaria range in
Gir-west to assist the forest department and prevent the
reoccurrence of poaching incidents," State Home Minsiter Amit
Shah told media persons at the Circuit House here.
Both Shah and Forest Minister Mangu Patel arrived here to
visit Babaria range of the sanctuary where remains of three
lions killed by poachers were discovered yesterday.
"This is a serious incident and it will be investigated
by the cid-crime which is also looking into the march four
incident (where two lioness and a cub were found killed by
poachers)," he added.
Three Asiatic lions were found slaughtered yesterday and
some of their body parts stolen from inside the Gir Wildlife
Sanctuary.
Three other lions were killed and their body parts stolen
earlier this month, prompting a cid and forensic inquiry by
the government.
As per the Forest Department census of 2005, there are
only 359 of the Asiatic lions in the Gir sanctuary.
Bureau Report