Ahmedabad: Ten incidents of lion-human conflict in Greater Gir in 45 days is a disturbing number. To protect Gujarat’s pride as well as its people, the state govt has added more ammo to its initiatives and decided to crack down heavily on illegal resorts, unregulated tourism and unchecked movement on sanctuary roads.No fresh permissions will be granted for new resorts or hotels in and around the Gir landscape until a comprehensive review of tourism infrastructure is completed, senior forest department official said, adding the rapid mushrooming of resorts — many operating under the guise of homestays — has intensified human presence in critical lion habitats. Many such establishments have also been linked to activities such as illegal lion shows and unauthorised wildlife tourism, which have repeatedly drawn criticism from conservationists.Forest and environment minister Arjun Modhwadia said, “Govt has decided not to approve any new resort or hotel permission in Gir and Greater Gir area. Also those which are operating without permissions will be closed and their structure demolished.” Officials said a survey will soon begin to identify such establishments. The Dhari-Tulsishyam corridor is particularly under watch. Here, around 30 resorts have come up. Besides serving pilgrims and travellers heading to Diu, the route has become a popular stopover for visitors hoping to spot lions outside the protected safari zones.Officials estimate nearly 550 homestays across the Talala, Sasan and Mendarda belt, catering mainly to Gir visitors. Several of these were permitted as homestays but later expanded into full-fledged commercial resorts, allegedly violating the conditions of the approvals, a forester said. A homestay in Dhari continues to run despite authorities cancelling its permit. Ironically, the Dhari forest division moved a proposal seeking diversion of forest land to provide right of way to the same property after it was classified as an illegal establishment.On several occasions, the Gujarat High Court directed the forest department to act against illegal resorts. Govt plans stricter controls on vehicular movement on internal roads passing through the sanctuary. While these roads remain open for locals and public transport vehicles, they are frequently misused by tourists who stop their vehicles in search of lions, rue officials.To prevent this, surveillance at checkposts will be tightened and vehicles will be monitored using technology. A similar system is already operational on the Sasan-Talala road, where vehicle speeds are monitored and alerts generated if motorists exceed the prescribed speed limit of 30 kmph. Adding another layer to the checks will be mechanisms that can detect prolonged vehicle halts on sensitive stretches.The forest department is also studying ways to regulate the growing number of pilgrims visiting shrines inside the Gir landscape. Unlike safari visitors, whose numbers are capped, pilgrim movement presently remains largely unregulated.Proposals include restricting their numbers during peak periods, allowing groups only in staggered batches with every batch accompanied by trained forest trackers. There are plans to train local doliwalas who carry pilgrims to hilltop temples and instruct them to move only with designated groups to minimise disturbance to lions.
