Gir is rightfully renowned as the last sanctuary of the Asiatic lion. Once the hunting grounds of the Junagadh royalty, these majestic creatures were pursued as trophies until their numbers dwindled to a mere dozen by the close of the 19th century. It wasn’t until 1965 that the Gir forests were officially designated as a wildlife sanctuary.
Additionally, extensive education and awareness programs have cultivated widespread public support for lion conservation. At Aramness, our team of expert naturalists frequently conducts awareness programs, leveraging their exceptional skills to educate and inspire. These initiatives have been instrumental in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for these magnificent creatures. Besides this, we also regularly conduct thorough cleaning drives in the forest.
Through these concerted efforts we strive to safeguard the sanctity of Gir ensuring it remains a suitable home for its diverse inhabitants, while also fostering a culture of respect and responsibility among visitors and local communities alike.
Maldhari community does not harm the lions and they are accepting any cattle hunted by the lion as part of life. In fact, the lion is not aggressive towards human beings. In villages, the lion protects the crops from the Blue Bull and Wild Boar. The effective participation of people and Government is something unique about Gujarat as compared to other places in the world that has helped in lion conservation too. Intensity of lion conservation is of very high level, perhaps incomparable in the world. At present about 1600 big cats (750 lions and about 850 leopards) live in Lion Conservation Landscape in the four districts. No landscape in India support even half of the number of big cats that presently occurs in the lion conservation landscape.
Jimmy Patel, Founder Aramness Gir, says, “Gir is rightfully renowned as the last sanctuary of the Asiatic lion. Once the hunting grounds of the Junagadh royalty, these majestic creatures were pursued as trophies until their numbers dwindled to a mere dozen by the close of the 19th century. It wasn’t until 1965 that the Gir forests were officially designated as a wildlife sanctuary. The success of this conservation effort is largely attributed to the symbiotic relationship between the lions and local communities, particularly the Maldharis. Their traditional lifestyle and profound respect for these big cats have fostered a unique coexistence, serving as a cornerstone of the conservation strategy. Crucial to this success has been the unwavering support from both state and central governments, ensuring a steady flow of funding and resources for various conservation initiatives. The implementation of scientific management practices has played a pivotal role, encompassing habitat enhancement and regular monitoring of lion populations. Moreover, stringent enforcement of anti-poaching laws, coupled with increased patrolling, has significantly mitigated threats to the lion population. Additionally, extensive education and awareness programs have cultivated widespread public support for lion conservation. At Aramness, our team of expert naturalists frequently conducts awareness programs, leveraging their exceptional skills to educate and inspire. These initiatives have been instrumental in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for these magnificent creatures. Besides this, we also regularly conduct thorough cleaning drives in the forest. It’s important to understand that Gir harbours a remarkable biodiversity that extends far beyond its apex predator, with over 300 bird species, 37 diverse reptilian varieties, and a staggering assemblage of over 2,000 insect species. Each of these play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of Gir’s ecosystem. Through these concerted efforts we strive to safeguard the sanctity of Gir ensuring it remains a suitable home for its diverse inhabitants, while also fostering a culture of respect and responsibility among visitors and local communities alike.”
Read the full story that first appeared in the August 2024 issue of Vistara Magazine here:
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