Gujarat: 122% hike in assistance for scaffolding platforms to protect crops from lions

Amid growing conservation efforts, the population of the Asiatic lion has gradually increased in the Greater Gir region, leading to a rise in incidents of human-lion conflict.

By: Express News Service

Surat | October 4, 2025 06:12 PM IST

2 min read

With growing conservation efforts, the population of wild animals, including the Asiatic lion, has gradually increased in the state’s Bruhad Gir (Greater Gir) region and other areas. (File photo)

Gujarat Forest and Environment Minister Mulubhai Bera and Minister of State Mukesh Patel on Saturday announced a hike of up to 122 per cent as assistance to farmers for the construction of scaffolding platforms to reduce incidents of conflict with lions. The government also raised by 40 per cent the amount provided for the construction of parapet walls around open wells in farms.

With growing conservation efforts, the population of wild animals, including the Asiatic lion, has gradually increased in the state’s Bruhad Gir (Greater Gir) region and other areas, leading to a rise in incidents of human-lion conflict, according to sources.

Under the assistance scheme, 75 per cent of the amount is provided by the state government through subsidy, and farmers bear the rest. Earlier, farmers received Rs 12,975 for the construction of scaffolding platforms in the fields which cost a total of Rs 17,300. As per the new scheme, they will get Rs 28,821 of the estimated cost of Rs 38,428 for scaffolding platforms.

The scaffolds will help farmers guard their crops and deter wildlife without harming the animals. While farms usually have open wells for watering crops, it poses a safety risk to lions as they accidentally fall in while chasing prey and succumb to severe injuries. Since 2007, however, the government has encouraged building parapet walls around such open wells through its scheme under which 90 per cent of the amount is provided as subsidy, while the farmers bear the rest. So far, the government has provided Rs 14,400 out of the total cost of Rs 16,000, which has now been revised to Rs 20,259 of the total cost of Rs 22,510.

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