Gujarat Plans To Build A Train Through The Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.
The State Department of Forestry is considering building a railroad through Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the last surviving population of an Asian lion. The proposal comes after Indian Railways recently notified the Supreme Court of Gujarat. That it had postponed plans to upgrade its existing asylum rail line.
The proposed Train Through The Gir project is along with the Pench Tiger Reserve, which runs between Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. An elevated section helps protect wildlife around National Highway 44, a senior forest official said.
The last time Gujarat counted 674 lions was in 2020.
The project to build a Train Through The Gir 14-kilometer railway line from Sasan to Kachia. Which runs through the heart of Gir Temple, is still in its early stages. The state forestry ministry was in preliminary talks with Indian Railways, the official said. The railway is currently being ask to work on the financial aspects of the project. However, the official add that it will then be hold at the Gujarat government level for further discussions before the final call is taken.
“If building an overpass at Gir Sanctuary proves to be economical.
We may also consider building an existing rail line that passes. Through the outskirts and environmentally sensitive areas of the Lion Habitat that need to be upgrade,” said another senior forestry official. Gir Sanctuary has been declare an environmentally friendly area. And there are restrictions on such construction activities within 10 kilometers of the nature reserve.
The railways and the state government have submitted a written statement at the request of the Gujarat Supreme Court for a report by amicus curiae Hemang Shah. With the exception of the renewal of the rail and relocation of the oil. And gas pipeline through Geer Sanctuary and its environmental zone.
The lawyer submitted his report and called for the suspension of development projects in protected areas in PIL production. Which the Supreme Court had requested for the protection of Asian lions. The state government notified the court that it had returned the rail proposal to the deputy forest treasurer. And had not forwarded it to the National Wildlife Council (NBWL) for final approval.
