Tired of Gujarat reluctance on Gir lions, MP to release tigers in Kuno

Rajendra Sharma | TNN | Dec 5, 2017, 23:36 IST

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh seems to have given up the ambitious Asiatic lion translocation programme from Gir lion sanctuary in Gujarat to Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in MP.

After nearly two-decades of unsuccessful tussle with Gujarat over translocation of Gir lions to Kuno-Palpur sanctuary near Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday unofficially gave up hope on the project.

A Supreme Court order mandating the translocation of Asiatic lions from Gir sanctuary to Kuno-Palpur in MP could not move the Gujarat government from parting with the big cat.

Diluting its claim on the programme, MP government decided to release and rehabilitate tigers in the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary which they claim is ready.

"As the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary is ready to rehabilitate the big cats, we will now release tigers in the park," announced chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during State Wildlife Board meeting, hinting at a possible failure in getting the Asiatic lions from neighbouring state.

Chouhan's decision came in the view of the delay by the Gujarat government. Both the states are BJP-ruled and Gujarat government considered the lions as 'heritage of the state'. The leaders had also maintained that a decision of handing over lions would turn into a big political issue in Gujarat.

"A writ petition was filed in 1995 by the Centre for Environment Law and World Wildlife Fund India (WWF-I) in the Supreme Court to get the Gujarat government release 19 Asiatic lions for the Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary. The Supreme Court fast-tracked the case and delivered a judgement on April 16, 2013, permitting the reintroduction of lions to Kuno, over-ruling the objections of the Gujarat government. But, the order is yet to be complied," said a senior officer of MP Wildlife.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/tired-of-gujarat-reluctance-on-gir-lions-mp-to-release-tigers-in-kuno/articleshow/61937836.cms