Gujarat: Industries to provide land in lion, GIB areas to offset forest land buy

In a boost to wildlife of Gujarat, the government has begun implementation of a scheme where industries that have acquired forest land are to compensate by providing private land in the Asiatic lion landscape spread in various districts of the state and the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitat in Kutch.

The decision has been taken to ensure that lions get more space and help in their movement along the lion corridors identified in the state, he further stated.

So far the government has acquired about 2,000 hectares of land from such government and private bodies in the last one year.

There are five districts including Bhavnagar, Amreli, Rajkot, Morbi and Kutch that are identified for this purpose. The officer said that the department has identified talukas and areas where the lions have made permanent Home or are frequently visiting these areas.

Five districts including Bhavnagar, Amreli, Rajkot, Morbi & Kutch have been identified for the purpose.