Asiatic Lions From Gujarat To Roar In Bhopal's Van Vihar; CZA Gives Nod To Animal Exchange Programme

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Finally, the dream of Van Vihar National Park authorities to get a pair of pure Asiatic Lions from Gujarat is soon to come true as the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has given its nod to the proposal.  The pair of Asiatic Lions will be brought under animal exchange programme. Van Vihar will bring Asiatic Lion pair from Shakarbaugh Zoo situated in Junagarh of Gujarat and in lieu will give a pair of Royal Bengal Tiger to GEER (Gujarat Ecological Education and Research) Foundation.

The authorities here have chalked out a detailed plan to bring the lions. A senior officer of Van Vihar National Park said that after getting CZA permission for the animal exchange programme, a meeting was convened to decide the route to bring the Asiatic Lion pair from Gujarat. A contingency planning has been done to handle any issue during the shifting of the lions.

“We have given our vehicles for repair and maintenance to ensure there are no technical issues during the shifting of the lions. Likewise, a contingency vehicle will also be arranged. In case, the vehicle develops any snag on the way, the contingency vehicle will be used,” the official said. Under the planning, the halt places for vehicles bringing the Asiatic Lion pair, have also been worked out, he added. Besides, necessary preparations are underway at Van Vihar to house the Asiatic Lion pair.

Van Vihar officer spoke to Gujarat counterpart on Wednesday to decide the date of the animal exchange programme. The officials are expected to decide on the date in three to four days, and thereafter a team of Van Vihar will leave for Junagarh to bring the Lion pair from Shakkarbaugh Zoo. The forest officials of two states worked out on the animal exchange proposal and forwarded it to CZA to get the necessary permission. The forest officials of Gujarat have received permission from their CM to go ahead with an animal exchange programme with Madhya Pradesh.

Under the animal exchange programme, a pair of Asiatic Lions will be brought from Gujarat and necessary preparations are being done in this regard. We will bring a pair of Asiatic Lions and will give a pair of Royal Bengal Tiger to GEER Foundation of Gujarat. Meena Avdesh Kumar Director, Van Vihar