Gandhinagar: Union environment and forest minister Bhupender Yadav on Friday said the Gujarat govt has undertaken measures for conservation of Asiatic lions and has been addressing challenges related to their protection with sensitivity and commitment.His comments came in the backdrop of the deaths of eight Asiatic lion cubs in Gujarat’s Gir forest region in May. Speaking on the sidelines of the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sammelan’ in Gandhinagar, Yadav said he was in contact with state forest minister Arjun Modhwadia regarding lion conservation issues.“I assure you that the Gujarat govt is working well to conserve lions and all challenges, including diseases, are being handled sensitively,” Yadav said. He added, “I am in contact with forest minister Arjun Modhwadia who has been reviewing the situation. I also recently visited Gir. Local causes (of lion deaths) are also being identified and a significant amount of control has been established.”Eight lion cubs died in the Gir forest region in May. Initially, it was believed all had succumbed to suspected Babesia infection, a tick-borne disease. However, earlier this month, Modhwadia disclosed the fatalities were actually caused by heat, weakness and low immunity in the cubs.Asked about a tiger’s presence and the Gujarat forest department’s reported move to seek tiger habitat tag for Ratanmahal, Yadav insisted the recognition is subject to established protocols.“There is a process and protocols to be followed in this regard. We will take cognisance of the matters that come up in coordination with the Gujarat forest department and act accordingly,” Yadav said while talking to the media.He said a decision regarding the settlement of cheetahs in Gujarat will be taken in accordance with prescribed protocols. Tigers were declared extinct in Gujarat in 1989, according to forest department records. The recent settlement of the tiger has raised hopes of revival of the species in the state, which is known as the last abode of Asiatic lions.Taking a swipe at the opposition and its zero seats in the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat, the BJP leader said the Congress was itself responsible for its decline. “The Congress is responsible for its own downfall. In a nation, positive politics succeeds, not negative politics. The NDA has completed 25 years under its BJP’s leadership, while the Congress-led UPA has even changed its name,” he said.
