Supreme Court on 15 August 2014 rejected the plea of Gujarat government to relocate the Gir lions from Gir National Park in Gujarat to Kuno Palpur Wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
The Gujarat government had challenged the Union government decision to relocate Gir lions to proposed Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary as an alternative home for the Asiatic lions.
The decision was taken as a conservation measure to save the lions from the risk of epidemics disease, because the lions are spread over a limited area in Gujarat.
Earlier in April 2013, the apex court had ruled in favor of relocation and directed the 12-member expert committee to implement this order in six months.
However, in February 2014, the Gujarat government filed a curative petition against the decision.
About Gir Asiatic Lions
Gir Asiatic Lions scientifically called Panthera leo persica, are found only in Gir National Park of Gujarat. These lions are the last surviving population of the Asiatic lions which occupy a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in southwestern part of saurashtra region of state of Gujarat. Compared to their counterparts in Eastern African Savanna landscape, Asiatic lions are found in forests and thorny thickets.
Asiatic lions are highly social animals, living in units called prides and their cubs are born blind. They are listed as endangered species in the IUCN Red Data Book.
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