Not appropriate to introduce the lion in the same area as the cheetah : NTCA
It may be noted that in the year 2013, the Supreme Court had ordered the transfer of Asiatic lions from Gujarat to Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.
- Translocation of lions has been recommended by experts as the number of lions in Gir (Gujarat) has become very high.
- Also, the infection of any one disease can pose a threat of destruction of their entire population.
- However, now the NTCA has said that it is not appropriate to bring lions into the habitat of cheetahs. According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), introducing lions into the habitat of cheetahs would pose a threat to cheetahs.
- This is because it would encourage inter-species competition. This can prove to be dangerous for the survival of both the species.
- More recently, cheetahs have been introduced into the KNP from Namibia and South Africa.
- Earlier, the Wildlife Institute of India had prepared Project Lion for the Government of Gujarat. It envisages eco-based conservation of landscapes in Gujarat by integrating conservation and eco-development.
- In this, Barda (Gujarat) has been identified as a possible habitat for translocation and settlement of Asiatic lions.
Asiatic Lion –
- These are found only in India. Their population is found only in five protected areas in Gujarat. These areas are Gir National Park, Gir Sanctuary, Paniya Sanctuary, Mitiyala Sanctuary and Girnar Sanctuary.
- The Asiatic Lion is listed as Endangered by the IUCN.
Threats:
- They are at a higher risk of getting infected with diseases,
- There is a risk of high mortality due to genetic inbreeding, poaching also reduces their numbers,
- Lions are dying in accidents due to human activities etc.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body with its headquarters located in New Delhi.
- It has been constituted under the ‘Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972’.
- Works under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It is chaired by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Objective:
- It gives statutory authority to Project Tiger.
- It promotes Centre-State accountability in the management of tiger reserves.
- It protects the livelihood interests of the local people in the areas surrounding the Tiger Reserve.
Source – Hindustan Times
