Latest News

Gujarat Chief Minister chairs 14th meeting of the State Board for Wildlife

The State Board of Wildlife at its 14^th meeting chaired by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani here today decided to set up Rs.50-crore 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.

He directed the authorities to ensure effective treatment of wildlife and pay more attention to particularly animals facing extinction and marine fauna. He suggested creating separate cadre of ‘wildlife veterinarians’ and ‘friends of wildlife’ and ‘youth trackers’.

The state government will modernise eight rescue centres in the Gir sanctuary area at overall cost of Rs.85-crore, besides starting 32 Rapid Response System and new 24×7 Helpline and 108 Lion Ambulance Service, Drone Surveillance, CCTV Network to track movement of lions and other wildlife animals, E-Eye Project of Sensitive Camera for nocturnal animals on the lines of Corbett National Park.

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, optical fibre cables, etc. under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Mr. Rupani talked about Rs.351-crore long-term comprehensive plan for creating infrastructure for the conservation of lions, equipped with the latest devices. He also directed the Forest Department and District Police to be alert and deal sternly with lions show.

He praised the role of Gujarat’s unique ‘Karuna Abhiyan’ and ‘Karuna Ambulance’ as campaign for compassion towards animals.

The meeting was attended by Forest Minister Ganpatsinh Vasava, Minister of State Ramanbhai Patkar, Board Members and MLAs, Chief Secretary J.N. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Rajiv Kumar Gupta and senior officers and honorary members

Source: Information Department, Gujarat