Now Reading: Gujarat identifies 150-km lion corridor beyond Gir
-
01
Gujarat identifies 150-km lion corridor beyond Gir
The Wildlife Institute of India and the Gujarat Forest Department have identified a 150-km lion movement corridor linking Shetrunji, Hingolgadh and Rampara after a male Asiatic lion dispersed alone from Hingolgadh to…
The Wildlife Institute of India and the Gujarat Forest Department have identified a 150-km lion movement corridor linking Shetrunji, Hingolgadh and Rampara after a male Asiatic lion dispersed alone from Hingolgadh to Rampara in 2019, highlighting the landscape's connectivity beyond Gir. The corridor is now listed among 11 major lion movement corridors in the state, with officials saying it could become important for future expansion as the lion population grows.
In a Rajya Sabha reply, the Union environment ministry said WII studies had identified 11 major lion movement corridors. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Jaipal Singh stated that lions are being sighted in Jasdan and Rajkot, making this a natural corridor, and no obstruction will be permitted along it. The government estimates lion range could expand to nearly 50,000 sq km by 2047 from about 35,000 sq km currently.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The identification formalises what wildlife managers have watched since 2019: a lone male lion moving 100 km outside Gir. For an isolated population confined to one state, every new corridor reduces extinction risk. The 2019 dispersal did not result in a settled pride, but sub-adult males seeking territory and prey now have a mapped route. The corridor crosses farmland and semi-arid grassland, so conflict mitigation, compensation for livestock kills, rapid response teams, will determine whether lions use it safely. The next signal to watch is whether a breeding pair or pride establishes beyond the current known range in Barda or Rampara.
The 2047 projection of 50,000 sq km of lion footfall depends on securing these corridors from mining, roads and encroachment. With Gir’s core habitat nearing carrying capacity, expansion is not optional: it is the species’ only long-term survival strategy. The state government’s promise of no obstruction will be tested if a lion kills cattle or a person along the new route.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
