News Update: A total of 1,84,466.20 hectares of area of 196 villages of these three districts found around the 'Gir protected area' has been included, which includes 24,680 hectares of forest area and 1,59,785.88 hectares of non-forest area. Including this area in the eco-sensitive zone will provide special protection to the lion families roaming in the area.
The pride of Gujarat, the Asiatic lion, has been seen living in the Gir Reserve Area of Saurashtra region for many years. The state government is working fully for the conservation of these lions and wild animals. The Central and Gujarat governments are constantly running various new projects for the conservation and breeding of Asiatic lions. On the request of the state government, the Central Government has issued a preliminary notification to declare a total area of 1, 84,466.20 hectares around the Gir Tiger Reserve Area as an 'eco-sensitive area'.
According to the notification issued, the minimum distance of the declared eco-sensitive area from the sanctuary is 2.78 km and the maximum is 9.50 km.
Areas included in the eco-sensitive zone
• A total of 196 villages and 17 rivers of three districts around the Gir protected area have been included.
• Inclusion of areas of Junagadh, Amreli and Gir Somnath districts in the new area.
• The new area includes more than 24 thousand hectares of forest area and 1.59 lakh hectares of non-forest area.
The 'Eco-sensitive Zone' area includes the river corridors of a total of 17 rivers and four important corridors for the movement of lions. Apart from this, a total of 59 villages of Junagadh, Visavadar, Malia Hatina and Mendarda talukas of Junagadh district, 72 villages of Dhari, Khambha and Savarkundla talukas of Amreli district and a total of 65 villages of Una, Gir-Somnath, Kodinar and Talala talukas of Gir-Somnath district have been included.
196 Villages have been Included
A total of 1,84,466.20 hectares of area of 196 villages of these three districts found around the 'Gir protected area' has been included, which includes 24,680 hectares of forest area and 1,59,785.88 hectares of non-forest area. By including this area in the eco-sensitive zone, the lion families roaming in the area will get special protection. Along with this, the boundary of the protected area till now will be reduced to 10 kilometres in this new eco-sensitive zone, so that other developmental activities can be promoted.
A total of 1,84,466.20 hectares of area of 196 villages of these three districts found around the 'Gir protected area' has been included, which includes 24,680 hectares of forest area and 1,59,785.88 hectares of non-forest area. By including this area in the eco-sensitive zone, the lion families roaming in the area will get special protection. Along with this, the boundary of the protected area till now will be reduced to 10 kilometres in this new eco-sensitive zone, so that other developmental activities can be promoted.
