On the occasion of the World Environment Day (5th June) , Empower Foundation escalated the Lion issue to Rajasthan making them a party to the whole issue – making the proposed translocation difficult ! An Urgent attention of Rajasthan was sought on the Proposed Translocation which does not only affect the conservation of Lions but also the conservation of Tigers and the overall Environment at large, which is at a huge risk and could bring a bad repute to not just Ranthambhor National Park (N.P.) or Rajasthan but to India at large !
Fact 1: Fantastic conservation efforts in Ranthambhor N.P., over the years have resulted in stabilizing and increasing of the Tiger population many folds. As a result of which, as confirmed by Deputy Field Director and Deputy Conservator of Forests etc and forest department of Madhya Pradesh, the Tiger/s (eg. T-38 tiger of Ranthambhor) have chosen to move out and travel around hundred of kilometers to find a new home in Kuno Palpur, Madhya Pradesh. Presence of Ranthambhor’s tigers in Kuno is a known, historical and presently relevant fact as latest as February 2014, acknowledged by the forest team and also media at large like Time of India, Deccan Herald, IBN Live etc. (Ref 1,2,3,4,5)
Lion by nature has a natural instinct to range outside of the pride’s original territory in order to establish their own communities.(Ref 6) There have been multiple established data points and literature stating that Lions, unlike Tigers, move in pride and can move many kilometers in a night, which means that they can easily reach Ranthambhor N.P. in a matter of just a few days- the same way, using the same path the Tigers of Ranthambhor have used to reach Kuno in MP.
Fact 2: IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations, July 2013 & IUCN Guidelines for Re-introductions,1998 in the Section Feasibility and Design – Regulatory Compliance
In Section 5.3 – Clause : Permission to release organisms; Sub clause : Cross-border movements speaks about 2 important aspects :
- Where organisms are either transported across jurisdictional or formally recognized tribal boundaries before release, or are likely to move across such boundaries following release, translocation design should be compatible with the permissive and regulatory requirements of all affected jurisdictions.
- Re-introduction must take place with the full permission and involvement of all relevant government agencies of the recipient or host country. This is particularly important in reintroductions in border areas, or involving more than one state or when a re-introduced population can expand into other states, provinces or territories.(1998)
Basis the above two (2) facts, Empower Foundation has sought confirmation on the adherence of the IUCN guidelines which makes Rajasthan a party to the whole issue now. And whether the Chief Wildlife Warden, Rajasthan has given any permission, which is mandatory as per IUCN for the Movement of Asiatic Lions from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh, as laid down by IUCN and also as mandated by Hon. Supreme Court, violation of which could be a big issue.
Also, Empower Foundation has sought the preparedness of State of Rajasthan for currently handling such a probable Lion-Tiger conflict if translocation was done. And if not what timeline, strategy and budget allocation for the same was or is done has been asked.
On this occasion of World Environment Day, Empower Foundation (www.empowerfoundation.in) has urged CWWL, Rajasthan to adherere to the IUCN Guidelines which makes Rajasthan also a party to the Asiatic Lion translocation hoping the state to play an active and a responsible role ensuring the Tigers of Rajasthan and Lions (if translocated to MP) and Environment at large is conserved.
Post sensitizing the Forest Department of Government of Gujarat on 10 translocation failures globally and adversities at the proposed site in Kuno, Empower Foundation had escalated to IUCN International Chairperson and to the Chairperson of the Expert Panel on Translocation under Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India on 29 IUCN Guideline Violations, raising issue on the sanctity of the Preybase numbers which makes the translocation unfeasible unless adhered to.
Many wildlife enthusiasts not just in India but abroad have joined Empower Foundation’s movement of SAVE OUR LIONS which is not against translocation of Asiatic Lions, but has been pushing for proper handling of the issue by the right experts adhering to the IUCN Guidelines and Animal Rights issues.
People wish to join in the movement or to understand or seek any clarification on the issue may contact Team Empower on empowerfoundation@gmail.com
- Anindo Dey & P Naveen, Ranthambore tiger strides 220km to MP, (2013) http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-25/jaipur/38815888_1_district-forest-officer-ranthambore-khandar-dharmendra-khandal
- TNN, Relocation of Asiatic lions to Kuno may relegate tigers: Activists (2013), http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-17/flora-fauna/38614818_1_tiger-watch-male-tiger-many-tiger-reserves
- P Naveen, Tigers moving from Rajasthan to Madhya Pradesh, officials concerned, (2013) http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-19/flora-fauna/38673789_1_district-forest-officer-ranthambore-camera-traps-datia
- PTI, Deccan Herald, Tiger from Ranthambhor makes MPs Kuno its home, http://www.deccanherald.com/content/135647/tiger-ranthambore-makes-mps-kuno.html (2013)
- PTI, IBN Live, MP for tracking Kuno Tiger to avoid fight with Gujarat Lions, http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mp-for-tracking-kuno-tiger-to-avoid-fight-with-gujarat-lions/452314-3-236.html (2014)
- Mark Paulson, Pride in Place: (1999) Reintroduction of Asiatic Lions in Gir Forest, India
