Sasan (Gujarat): Prime Minister Narendra Modi started World Wildlife Day with a lion safari at Gujarat’s Gir Wildlife Sanctuary on Monday morning. The visit, part of a wider state tour, followed a night spent at Sinh Sadan, a forest guest house in Sasan, after a Sunday evening visit to the Somnath Temple.
PM Modi was accompanied by several ministers and senior forest department officials. Sasan Gir, the sanctuary’s headquarters, served as the backdrop for a crucial meeting , the seventh session of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
The NBWL, a body comprised of 47 members, including the Chief of Army Staff, state representatives, NGO members, chief wildlife wardens, and state secretaries, convened to discuss critical aspects of wildlife preservation.
This meeting provided a platform for the discussion of policies and strategies that directly impact India’s biodiversity. Following the official meeting, PM Modi engaged in a significant interaction with women forest staffers, highlighting the vital role of women in conservation efforts.
The Prime Minister’s visit coincided with the announcement of substantial government funding. A government release highlighted the central government’s approval of over Rs 2,900 crore for Project Lion, a dedicated initiative for the conservation of Asiatic lions uniquely found in Gujarat.
The project’s scope encompasses the lions’ current habitat, spanning approximately 30,000 square kilometers across 53 talukas in nine districts.
Beyond Project Lion, Modi’s commitment to wildlife conservation is further evident in the establishment of a National Referral Centre for Wildlife, a national project situated on over 20.24 hectares of land in Junagadh district.
This center, equipped with advanced technology, is set to revolutionise wildlife monitoring and care. Further strengthening conservation efforts, a high-tech wildlife tracking center and a state-of-the-art hospital have been established in Sasan.
