Gujarat: Forest Dept steps up monitoring after fatal lion attack kills one

Amreli, June 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) A migrant worker from Uttarakhand was killed in a suspected lion attack near Kovaya village in Gujarat's Amreli district on Tuesday, leading the Forest Department to launch rescue operations and intensify monitoring in the area amid growing concerns over human-lion encounters in the Greater Gir region.

The victim, identified as Prakash Chand, was employed at a restaurant in Rajula. According to preliminary information, he unexpectedly left his workplace during the early hours of the morning for reasons that remain unclear.

His remains were later discovered near a thorny bush opposite the UltraTech TPP power plant, where officials believe he was attacked and killed by a lioness.

Forest Department and police teams rushed to the site after receiving information about the incident.

During a subsequent search and scanning operation, officials found evidence of lion activity in the surrounding area and identified a group of four lions.

Reacting to the incident, Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia described the death as deeply distressing and expressed condolences to the victim's family.

"The news of the death of a young man in an encounter with a lion in the Rajula region is extremely distressing. I pay tribute to the deceased youth and express my heartfelt and deep condolences to the bereaved family," he said.

The minister said immediate action had been taken following the incident. "Considering the seriousness of the incident, the concerned lion family has been immediately rescued and safely confined in cages. Necessary instructions have also been issued to increase the number of Forest Department trackers in the area and to intensify round-the-clock monitoring and patrolling so that such incidents do not recur in the future," Modhwadia said.

He said Asiatic lions generally avoid conflict with humans but acknowledged that unexpected behavioural changes can sometimes occur.

"Under normal circumstances, Asiatic lions avoid entering into conflict with humans. However, at times their behaviour may change unexpectedly due to situational reasons, which can result in such unfortunate incidents. All necessary preventive and effective measures will be taken to maintain an appropriate balance between the safety of human life and the conservation of wildlife," he said.

Referring to the preliminary findings, the minister said the victim had been working at a restaurant and had left the premises shortly before the incident.

"The Forest Department is therefore acting with great caution. I also appeal to citizens to follow the Forest Department's instructions. Whatever action is necessary will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future," he added.

The incident has renewed concerns in the Rajula region, which forms part of the Greater Gir landscape and has witnessed a steady increase in the lion population.

According to local figures, Amreli district has recorded 339 lions, the highest number among districts within the Asiatic lion habitat range.

Local residents expressed anger following the attack, noting that the area around Kovaya village regularly witnesses lion movement.

The incident also drew attention because it was reported to be the second fatal lion attack in the region within the past five days, resulting in the loss of two human lives.

Rajula-Jafrabad MLA Hira Solanki expressed concern over attacks on people and called for an increase in Forest Department manpower in areas experiencing rising lion populations.

He also raised the issue with the state government. The Forest Department has intensified surveillance and patrolling in the Rajula area as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue.

Source: IANS