Our Correspondent / New Delhi
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue suitable directions to the Union MOEF &CC and Gujarat for a smooth translocation of Asiatic lion from Gir (Gujarat) to Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
In a letter written to the Prime Minister to PM, Kamlanath requested that all the recommendations made by the Wildlife Institute of India and expert committee formed to oversee the translocation of Asiatic Lions to Kuno like habitat improvement, prey-base augmentation, relocation of 24 villages (1543 families) etc have been completed by the State Govt. Substantial amount of money have been incurred in these activities and the Kuno National Park is ready to receive Asiatic Lion, he added.
He also informed that as per the recommendations made by committee the area of Kuno Sanctuary has been extended by adding 404 Square KM of forest area to the sanctuary and declared as Kuno National Park.
It may be mentioned here that Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has expressed their concern in this regard and advised to establish a second home for this endangered species which is on the verge of extinction if it is confined to only one habitat.
It may be further added that Kuno Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh has been found to be the best habitat for Asiatic Lion. Supreme Court had also in its order dated 15-04-2013 directed for translocation of Asiatic Lions from Gujarat to Kuno Sanctuary within 6 months.