2 weeks ago
Gujarat Deploys Lion Trackers at Girnar, Shetrunjay Hills
Officials in Gujarat have placed 25 trained wildlife trackers on Mount Girnar.
The trackers will watch the mountain’s three stairways day and night.
They are meant to help keep pilgrims safe and monitor lions.
This action came after a 12-year-old boy was killed by a lion on July 11.
Officials have also approved 15 trackers for Shetrunjay Hill.
That hill is visited by many people and has seven to eight lions nearby.
Drones, watchtowers and monitoring cabins are also planned there.
The trackers will look for signs of lion movement and warn people about possible danger.
The Gujarat Forest Department deployed 25 wildlife trackers across Mount Girnar’s three stairways for round-the-clock monitoring.
The deployment follows the July 11 death of a 12-year-old boy in a lion attack on the Girnar stairs.
Officials sanctioned 15 additional trackers for Shetrunjay Hill in Palitana, where seven to eight lions are present.
Shetrunjay Hill is also planned to receive drone surveillance, watchtowers and four prefabricated monitoring cabins.
Girnar trackers received training in wildlife behavior, pilgrim safety, tracking and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
- Who
- The Gujarat Forest Department, 25 Girnar trackers, and 15 proposed Shetrunjay Hill trackers are involved; officials and Jain community leaders also participated in the related meeting.
- What
- The department deployed 25 trackers at Mount Girnar and sanctioned 15 more for Shetrunjay Hill, alongside planned surveillance measures.
- Where
- The deployment covers the new, old and Datar stairways of Mount Girnar in Junagadh district; the additional trackers will work at Shetrunjay Hill in Palitana, Bhavnagar district.
- When
- The Girnar trackers began duty Tuesday evening after the July 11 fatal attack; the Shetrunjay appointments were sanctioned Tuesday.
- Why
- The measures are intended to improve pilgrim safety, monitor lion movement and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Key facts
- Girnar trackers
- 25 wildlife trackers deployed across three stairways
- Shetrunjay trackers
- 15 forest or wildlife trackers sanctioned
- Girnar incident
- A 12-year-old boy was dragged and killed by a lion on July 11
- Shetrunjay lions
- Seven to eight lions are present around the hill
- Shetrunjay visitors
- The hill receives about 2,000 to 7,000 visitors daily
- Girnar tracker pay
- Trackers will receive monthly remuneration of Rs 15,914
- Statewide trackers
- Around 225 forest trackers are currently deployed across Gujarat
Quotes
Akshay Joshi
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Junagadh
“"In light of the tragic human fatality that occurred on the new Girnar steps last month, the Forest Department has taken an important step to reduce human‑wildlife conflict and strengthen the safety of pilgrims and wildlife."”
indianexpress.com
“"A proposal in this regard has been sanctioned. So, 15 trackers will be recruited through Gujarat State Lion Conservation Society (GSLCS)."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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