Relevance: GS Paper III (Environment and Ecology)
Why has this issue cropped up?
The magnificent Asiatic lion is under threat. Twenty-three lions have died in as many days in the eastern part of Gujarat’s Gir sanctuary. While mass mortalities in wildlife are always a cause for concern, this case is even more worrisome as the big cat population in Gujarat is the last of the Asiatic lions in the wild.
Supreme Court order
- In 2013, the Supreme Court had issued an order that lions from Gujarat be relocated to the Kuno sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh as a check against the threat of epidemic.
- But Gujarat has been unwilling to part with its lions, calling them “its pride” in an affidavit.
- On October 3, the Supreme Court, noting that the death of so many lions was a serious matter, asked the Central government to look into it.
The problem
- Asiatic lion been restricted to only one single habitat, i.e. the Gir National Forest and its surrounding areas and an outbreak of possible epidemic or natural calamity might wipe off the entire species.
- A smaller population with limited genetic strength are more vulnerable to diseases and other catastrophes in comparison to large and widespread population. For instance, 30% of the lion population in Tanzania’s Serengeti was killed due to an outbreak of canine distemper, a viral disease that affects animals.
- Wildlife conservation concerns itself with maintaining ecological processes and reducing threats to endangered species. It does not entail treating wild animals for disease (in the way domestic animals are) as this can go against the processes of natural selection.
Metapopulation
- Gujarat submitted before the Supreme Court that one of the reasons it did not want to part with the lions was because there are metapopulations in the State.
- By metapopulation is meant that current Asiatic lion population is not a single population confined to one place; rather it consists of a population spread over several locations within the greater region. These areas are connected to each other.
- Metapopulations may be geographically separate but have interactions and an exchange of individuals.
Way forward
- After the lion deaths, Gujarat should work towards colonising new habitats outside the Gir landscape within the State. An option is the Barda wildlife sanctuary.
- A geographically separate population of Asiatic lions needs to be created.
- While Gujarat has done a good job of conserving its lions, it should also turn its attention to reducing the drivers of disease, which includes controlling feral dog populations.
- A good track record for lion conservation does not in any way preclude a good long-term strategy.
