Gandhinagar, July 13 (IANS) The Gujarat government on Monday announced a series of safety measures, including a permanent wildlife check post, round-the-clock deployment of 25 forest trackers and thermal drone surveillance, following the fatal lion attack on an 11-year-old pilgrim on the Girnar hill pilgrimage route near Junagadh district.

The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting of the Forest and Environment Department after Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directed officials to take urgent steps to improve the safety of pilgrims visiting the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary.

The meeting was attended by Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia, Minister of State Pravin Mali, the department’s Principal Secretary, the Head of the Forest Force, and senior field officers.

The move follows the death of Mayur Chauhan, an 11-year-old boy from Kheda district, who was attacked by a lion near the 50th step of the new Girnar stairway while climbing the hill with his family during a pre-dawn pilgrimage.

The attack prompted authorities to temporarily close the route and capture three lions from the area as part of the investigation.

Addressing the media in Gandhinagar, Modhwadia said the government had decided on several measures under the guidance of the Chief Minister to prevent similar incidents.

“Permanent check posts will be established at sensitive locations in the Girnar Sanctuary where wildlife movement is frequent to enable continuous monitoring,” he said.

He added that a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) would be prepared under the chairmanship of the Junagadh Collector in coordination with all concerned administrative departments.

The SOP will cover pilgrim safety, wildlife management, emergency response and inter-departmental coordination.

“Around 25 Forest Department trackers would be deployed to maintain permanent vigil along the Girnar pilgrimage route. Thermal drone surveillance will also be introduced for continuous monitoring of wildlife movement across the sanctuary,” he said.

To minimise disturbance to wildlife and reduce the possibility of human-wildlife conflict, the Girnar and Datar stairway routes will be declared a permanent “Silence Zone”.

The government also plans to prohibit loud music and unnecessary noise in the area. Modhwadia said a public awareness campaign would be launched to educate pilgrims and local residents on appropriate behaviour in wildlife habitats.

Permanent advisory signboards and safety instructions will also be installed along the pilgrimage route to guide visitors before they begin the climb.

“The state government is committed to taking all necessary measures to maintain a balance between the safety of pilgrims and wildlife conservation in the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary,” he said.

The Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the outskirts of Junagadh, forms part of the wider landscape inhabited by the endangered Asiatic lion, whose population has expanded beyond the Gir National Park in recent years, increasing interactions between wildlife and people in surrounding areas.

The latest incident has renewed attention on visitor safety along one of Gujarat’s most important pilgrimage routes.

–IANS

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