Plan to shift Asiatic lion to MP sanctuary

Bhopal, Feb 20 (UNI) The Centre has proposed a plan to shift Asiatic lion from Gujarat to Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh.

Efforts were being made for the success of the proposal, but no time frame could be fixed, Forest Minister Himmat Kothari told Mr Durgalal Vijay in a written reply.

The Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Madhya Pradesh had also approached the Forest authorities of Gujarat and the Director General of Forest (Wildlife), Government of India in this regard, he said.

The Secretary of Environment and Forest ministry had toured the sanctuary last month. It was followed by a meeting of the Chief Wildlife Wardens of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, member-secretary of Tiger Conservation Authority and Director of Kuno-Palpur sanctuary.

According to Mr Kothari, the Government of India was also keen to get Asiatic lion shifted from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh.

UNI