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Tigers were found in abundance in Gujarat from Valsad to Banaskantha till the 1950s, but they completely vanished from the state by 1997.
Observing that Gujarat was the only state in the western region not having any tigers, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, at a recent meeting, suggested that the state should explore the possibility of introducing tigers.
“The Minister has asked the state government to submit a proposal accordingly,” a senior environment official said.
However, Gujarat is averse to the idea of exchanging Asiatic lions with tigers.
Desperate to hold on to its monopoly on the last Asiatic lion habitat in the world, Gujarat has been refusing to share its “pride” with Madhya Pradesh or any other state.
“But if Narendra Modi accepts the tiger introduction plan, he will have no option but to agree for an exchange,” a source said.
The Gujarat government, meanwhile, said it is not averse to the Union environment minister’s suggestion. “Tigers did exist till late 1980s in the forests of south and north Gujarat. We have a congenial environment to accommodate tigers in our forests. Our government will certainly consider the proposal if the Centre sends it to us formally”, said state Forest Minister Mangubhai Patel.
Reacting to media reports emanating from New Delhi, Patel told Newsline at Gandhinagar on Monday evening, “I will ask officials of my department to send a detailed project report to the Centre on this. But I hope the Centre will not ask Gujarat to give Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh or any other state in exchange for tigers.”
State Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Pradeep Khanna said the Union minister had, in fact, made a suggestion to introduce tigers in Gujarat at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board of Wildlife held in New Delhi a few days ago. “We are considering the proposal with an open mind. We will have to examine the various aspects such as identification of forest areas and availability of enough prey-base for tigers before sending a detailed project report to the Centre,” he added.
Khanna, who handled the wildlife assignment till he was elevated to the post of PCCF two days ago, said Gujarat certainly has an environment for tiger habitat, as they had existed in the Dangs and Surpaneshwar forests till the late 80s. But the department will have to identify forest areas other than Dangs and Surpaneshwar before sending a detailed proposal to the Centre, he said.
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I think every gujrati will like to see the both animals( Tigers & Lions ) in Gujrat but the condition of exchange the Lions with Tigers is not possible looking to the past.Gujrat is the most safe place for the lions. We are capable to secure the lions.But we would like to see Tigers again in the Dang Dist of Gujrat.
Dear Sir, Gujarat was once a habitat of wild tigers, I wish to see it once again. we have proved that gujarat is capable of doing impossible things. with the increase in large number of lions, its been proved that we can do the same with tigers. I think Tigers should be brought in gujarat in exchange of lions with MP. lion habitat should also increase.
sir, i am sawmill owner at dahegam (Gandhinagar) . sir many idea any many step about save tree & growth auto foresaty. sir as for your kind information 1/4/2010 our dahegam timber follow all norms gujrat forest like sawmill time , maintain monthly cubicmeter production sir we make reports all gujrat sawmill owner follow this forest rules 5550000 Trees save in one year so plz sir heard our request heartly we are very intrested in this our save tree project so plz help up. our dreams GREEN GUJRAT 33% Foresty in gujrat in next 3 years but sir without your supoort we are never built up our this project so plz help us. Thanks. Vasu modi