Ground Reality

In response to the dramatic decline of lion populations in the wild, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has  this  week announced it will list two lion subspecies under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).   Panthera leo leo , located in India and western and central Africa, will be listed as endangered, and   Panthera leo melanochaita , located in eastern and southern Africa, will be listed as threatened. Concurrent with this listing rule, to protect lions and other foreign and domestic wildlife from criminal activity, Service Director Dan Ashe also issued a Director’s Order to strengthen enforcement of wildlife permitting requirements. The order, which aligns with President Obama’s  National Strategy for combating Wildlife trafficking  will ensure that violators of wildlife laws are not subsequently granted permits for future wildlife-related activities, including the import of sport-hunted trophies. In the last 20 years, lion populations hav...

The Upcoming Lion Safari in Etawah may appear as a pet project of  Ruling party in  India’s  Hindi heartland state of Uttar Pradesh ,but it’s necessity can not be questioned in the wake of ever swelling population of  Asiatic Lions in  Gujarat’s Gir forest Sanctuary ,the only dwelling left for Asiatic lions globally. In recent floods in Gujarat ,many royal beasts could not swim to safety in violently gushing rain water in their habitation ,and several carcasses  were spotted when water receded. It was  shocking to watch  the fate of this rare animal in its only habitation  the world over . Now, census shows that the population of the big cat is increasing there and space of their free movement.  Natural disasters in any region can not be ruled out ,so in order to ensure  conservation of the endangered species,an alternative sanctuary is necessary in more ways than one ,and its responsibility of   the world’s ...

Silence of Yamuna-Chambal ravines,once notorious for gun toting dacoits near jungles of Etawah in the Hindi heartland state of Uttar Pradesh, is now shattered by loud roars.      At  least half a dozen Asian  lions  walk leisurely with majestic gait amid pastel rich and  green patches of their paddock  in the Animal House in  upcoming safari . Bewitching spectacle of  Lions basking in sun shine leave their keepers awe struck.    They are bubbling  with enthusiasms and await anxiously for the day when locked gates pave way for tourists flocks.         Authorities deputed for the uphill task are burning  midnight  oil to ensure that the safari opens to tourists soon. They appear elated over reports of Indian Veterinary Research Institute experts from Chennai that  the breeding center, functional there, is fit to have cubs and the climate will not com...