Centre-Gujarat took steps for lion conservation

Why Gujarat and Centre step up efforts for lion conservation ?
The recent death of 23 Asiatic lions in Gir forest with canine distemper virus claiming being said to be the reason behind many of these deaths. The Centre and the state government have stepped up their efforts for conservation of the rare wild cat.

Canine Virus :-
In 1994, an outbreak of canine distemper virus, which can spread from dogs in the wild, wiped out nearly half of the lion population in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Gujarat government’s role to handle an outbreak of disease like CDV has been questioned by wildlife and conservation experts.

Project :-
The Indian Ministry of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) has begun work on a proposal for conservation of the rare sub-species for a budget outlay of Rs 100 crore which includes translocation of the lions to a new home within Gujarat and monitoring of the ecology. Gujarat government has meanwhile announced a special package of Rs 351 crore for the conservation of Asiatic Lions.
A special conservation programme titled for conservation of lions in Gujarat was discussed at the meeting along with conservation programmes for tigers and some other species

Details of the project :-

• The proposal envisages radio tagging for some of the Asiatic Lions and translocation of lions from Gir Sanctuary to Barda near Amreli. 
• The project includes setting up a special hospital of Rs 50 crore and special ambulance service for the lions. 
• A state-of-the-art Wildlife Hospital at the Asiatic lion’s only natural abode in Gir sanctuary to check intensive care of diseases among lions and other wildlife animals will also be set up.
• The government has planned to carry out extensive surveillance in Gir forest during the night using drone and CCTV camera network. The surveillance not only covers lions but also other wild nocturnal animals. 
• The Board also discussed 29 applications for converting land for non-forest use under wildlife sanctuary and national parks for widening existing highways, laying electricity lines and optical fibre cables under the Wildlife Protection Act.