Lions escape Gir forest, Porbander lives in fear

Several villages of Porbandar district are in the grip of fear for the past five days as two Asiatic lions have escaped the Gir Sanctuary at...

Several villages of Porbandar district are in the grip of fear for the past five days as two Asiatic lions have escaped the Gir Sanctuary at Junagadh and are on the prowl in the region. They have been spotted in the coastal region, situated about 100 km away from the sanctuary.

On Friday, four cattle, including two cows and two buffalos, were found dead near the graveyard situated on the outskirts of the Ratanpar village. Following the incident, Forest Department officials along with the villagers have been patrolling with cages to catch the two young lions, says Chief Forest Conservator Bharat Pathak.

This is not the first time that the lions have left their natural habitat and strayed into villages searching for food. The Gir Sanctuary is spread over 1,882 sq km in Junagadh and Amreli district. While most part of the Gir, 1,502 sq km to be exact, falls within Junagadh boundries, only 379 sq km comes under Amreli.

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Pathak says dispersion is natural for the young Asiatic lions which get separated from their group to find easy prey. However, nature activists point out, humans too are responsible for it. ‘‘Increasing human interference in Gir jungles has forced lions to move out of their habitat,’’ says Amit Jethva, president of Gir Nature Youth Club.

Pathak adds: ‘‘When a lion reaches adulthood, competition with elder lions within the group increases in the area. As a result, young lions in search of newer places are likely to move out of the forest.’’ The two lions spotted in Porbandar, both males, have just crossed their childhood.

Pathak adds: ‘‘Asiatic lions have already dispersed their habitat in coastal belt of Amerli and Junagadh district, including Madhpar to Kodinar and up to Veraval. And these two lions are also believed to have reached Porbandar via this coastal belt.’’

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