Junagarh floods raised concerns for Gir Lions

A video of a lion walking on a flyover during heavy rains in Gujarat's Junagadh has gone viral on social media. The majestic creature appears calm as travellers pass by, with some vehicles stopping to photograph the 'king of beasts'.

“Gujarat is battered with incessant rains with flood-like situations in many cities. Even, King of the Jungle is forced to relocate from its habitat," former cricketer Syed Saba Karim wrote on Twitter while posting the video of the lion.

Responding to the clip, a netizen jokingly tagged Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and reminded him of his 2011-12 Gujarat tourism advertisement, encouraging him to visit Gujarat again. Some curious users asked if the former cricketer had shot the video himself.

On a different note, a tragic incident involving a three-year-old Asiatic lion took place in Amreli district last week. The lion died after being hit by a goods train near Uchaiya village in Rajula taluka, soon after forest officials spotted a herd of two lions and two lionesses near the railway track connecting Pipavav port to Rajula town. Despite efforts to rescue the lions, one died on the spot, and the other later succumbed to injuries.

Gir Lions' Concerns

The state forest department had installed fencing along the track to protect the lions from train collisions. However, the fence and several watchtowers were badly damaged by Cyclone Tauktae in 2021, Rajula RFO Yograj Singh Rathod said.

The Gir Lions, a pride of Gujarat, hold immense ecological and cultural significance in the region. As the rains persist and floodwaters continue to disrupt normal life, efforts are being made to ensure the safety and preservation of these iconic creatures.

Rajula RFO Yograj Singh Rathod said, "Notably, we had erected fences along the track at regular intervals to save the lions from being hit by trains. However, cyclone Tauktae in 2021 badly damaged both the fence and several watchtowers along the track."

Authorities are urging residents and travelers in the affected areas to exercise caution and respect the natural habitats of the wildlife during these challenging times. The state is mobilizing resources to handle the floods' aftermath and provide relief to the affected communities while safeguarding the precious wildlife that calls Gujarat home.

According to the 2022 population estimates, a total of 674 Asiatic lions were residing in and around the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.

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