Though Gujarat has done a good job in protecting the Asiatic lion, experts have warned, time and again, that a new home must be found away from Saurasthra as an insurance against extinction - given the threats of inbreeding, over population and epidemics. After detailed studies, Palpur Kuno was identified for the relocation. The SC has also asked the Centre not to import cheetahs from Africa to Kuno.
Sanctuary spoke with field biologist Ravi Chellam who said:Â "I am delighted to hear of the Supreme Court order. In some sense I can die peacefully now. I am now just 20 km. from Junagadh on my way to Gir after having met the Chief Wildlife Warden, Dr. C.N. Pande earlier in the day. This is like buying insurance. All our eggs should never have been in one basket. This is something the National Board for Wildlife has been saying for many years. I got to Gir for the first time in December 1985 when attached to a Wildlife Institute of India and the Project Ecology of the Asiatic Lion was initiated. The project led to a survey in 1993 and 1994 of potential sites and in January 1995, the plan for Kuno was presented after three sites were considered, Darrah and Sita Mata in Rajasthan and Kuno in M.P."
Interestingly, Sanctuary's latest cover story details Valmik Thapar's latest book that unearths a new controversy on the origin of lions and cheetahs in India. Read more here: http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/magazines/cover-story/9237-a-review-of-exotic-aliens-the-lion-and-cheetah-in-india.html
For more articles on the second home of the Asiatic lion - http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/magazines/conservation/8390-wanted--another-home-for-the-asiatic-lion.html
http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/magazines/conservation/8601-a-troubled-king.html
