Gujarat, Home to Lions, Our Pride and Joy

 The lions are one of the most famous attraction of this diverse state but might soon be lost!! The recent discussion about shifting lions from Gir to Palpur – Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh is a blow to Gujarat.

 The move to shift them to Madhya Pradesh for a better environment is what is the common belief of environmentalist but the 2 test runs till now have resulted in the death of few lions sent there. Rather, the story of lions in Gujarat is more optimistic. We started with just 11 Asiatic lions and now their strength has grown to more than 380 lions….. Doesn’t this give enough evidence….. what else do we need to say??

      

We the students of Grade 5, TGS implementing TFU, Rajkot have taken up the initiative to do something about this matter. We have decided to raise our voice asking people to wake up to this situation and be more proactive. This idea of raising our voice is not only because we are passionate about this but we also strongly feel that why to uproot someone from their habitat where they have survived for years and years.

The Palpur- Kuno Sanctuary has rich reptiles such as Pythons, Monitor lizards and big cats such as Leopards and Tigers which can be harmful to the lions if sent there. Though the government of Madhya Pradesh promises to give 20% more food than currently provided in Gir and also abundant water as the river Kuno flows almost through the middle of the park.  

But we too have our facts to support our claim of not making this shift;

·        Lions there have been known to venture out and people threaten them when they do so.

·        Palpur – Kuno wildlife Sanctuary has 160 square kilometers less area than of Gir.

·        Research also says that lions would take 30-33 years to adopt well in Palpur-Kuno wildlife Sanctuary. By that time 3-4 generations may pass or worse, none at all will survive.

How would you feel if you were suddenly caged and transferred to a new place where you don’t know any one and you have a danger looming ahead? You would feel bad wouldn’t you? So what about the lions? We should also think about their emotional behavior.

Think how you would feel if something that belongs to you and no one else in the world and it is being taken away from you. You would be hurt wouldn’t you? Then think how Gujarat and its people will feel when their pride is being taken away from them.

 Join us for this cause…. Be strong… Be brave…. Speak up!!!!!!!!!

 Roar for the lions!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Post your views here…..