New Delhi, Nov 09: The Asiatic Lion may have survived
poaching, but its population is fast dwindling due to habitat
destruction and man-animal conflict.
"Currently there are only two sub-species of lions, African
and Asiatic. Asiatic Lions evolved from African Lions and are
much lesser in number and most threatened," says Ravi Chellam
of Wildlife Institute of India.
"Hunting is not the biggest threat to lions. Habitat
destruction and man-animal conflict is. Unlike tiger, lion`s
skin, bones and claws are not used in medicine," says Yash
Chhaya, a Chicago-based wildlife activist.
Since entire wild population of Asiatic Lions is present in
Gir, Gujarat, it is highly vulnerable to any kind of
biological, climatic and man-made catastrophe that can wipe it
out all at one stroke he says.
Another threat to lions in Gir is the possibility of any
catastrophe that can threaten their survival. It could be a
disease outbreak or an extensive forest fire or even an
adverse political decision," says Chellam.
The current population of 370 lions is next to nothing.
Asiatic Lion, a species that once rambled and roared from
Greece to Central India, got its sprawling territory narrowed
down to just Gir in Gujarat, rendering the name "Asiatic Lion"
almost a misnomer.
"Lions need large area with sufficient prey species and
once the antelope and other herbivorous animal populations
decline, lion population also suffers", says Chhaya, noting
interbreeding of lions could also prove counter-productive in
the long-run.
"Reduction in genetic diversity leaves individual animals
more prone to disease. Negative genetic traits such as hip
displacia are more likely to become active," says Chhaya.
Genetic diversity is important for animal and plant
populations to survive in their free ranging states as they
are exposed to a variety of environmental stresses including
diseases. Populations with higher levels of genetic diversity
will be able to cope better with environmental changes and
survive for longer periods of time, adds Chellam.
Wildlife experts are faced with another problem in their
efforts to save the lion.
Three roads and a railway line criss-cross the sanctuary
and temples within Gir protected forest attract thousands of
pilgrims.
"Certain areas are overgrazed and this causes reduction in
quality to the habitat. Livestock also poses risk of disease
infection to the wildlife. There are occasional cases of
poaching too," says Chellam on continuous human interference.
Meanwhile, in effort to conserve the lion forest,
authorities have come up with a proposal to shift a small
number of lions from Gir to Kuno National Park in Madhya
Pradesh. But, reportedly the unrelenting attitude of Gujarat
Government has thrown a spanner in the wheel.
"The opposition is not to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary but to
translocating the lions from Gir to Kuno. In many ways
conservation agencies and concerned governmental agencies have
failed to communicate the need for this translocation and how
this will benefit the long-term survival of free ranging
Asiatic Lions," says Chellam.
Talking about the kind of efforts to conserve the wild
population in-situ Chellam says "there is an attempt to keep
an eye on all human activities and also animal populations."
"Poaching and fire are being controlled and prevented.
During the dry season water is provided for animals."
International agencies like World Bank and the global
environment facility along with various local non-governmental
groups are also being involved with Gir, he says.
Bureau Report
