Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Forest Department has intensified enforcement against activities threatening wildlife and forest resources in the Gir East Forest Division, registering 75 offences and recovering fines exceeding ₹13.30 lakh over the past four months.
The action was taken under the directions of Gujarat Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia, as the department stepped up efforts to protect the state’s Asiatic lion habitat and prevent violations of wildlife and forest laws.
38 Cases Linked to Unauthorised Sanctuary Entry
A significant portion of the enforcement involved people entering restricted sanctuary areas without authorisation.
The department registered 38 offences in such cases and imposed fines totalling approximately ₹7.76 lakh.
Among these were eight cases related to the hunting of wild animals.
- 38: Unauthorised-entry offences
- ₹7.76 lakh: Approximate fines imposed
- 8: Cases related to wild-animal hunting
- 4: Hunting cases currently before the court
- 4: Cases where punitive action has been completed
- ₹2.20 lakh: Fine recovered in the latter four cases
Illegal Timber Transport Also Under Scanner
The department also acted against the unauthorised transportation of timber.
16 offences were registered against individuals transporting timber without valid permits or transit passes. These cases resulted in the recovery of around ₹3.03 lakh in fines.
The action forms part of broader efforts to prevent illegal extraction and movement of forest produce and protect Gir’s forest resources.
Plastic Dumping and Illegal Grazing Targeted
The enforcement drive also addressed activities affecting the ecological condition of the sanctuary and reserved grasslands.
The department registered 17 offences involving plastic-waste dumping and illegal grazing of livestock in reserved grassland areas, recovering ₹32,500 in fines.
Four-month enforcement snapshot
- Unauthorised sanctuary entry: 38 offences; fines of approximately ₹7.76 lakh
- Illegal timber transportation: 16 offences; fines of ₹3.03 lakh
- Plastic dumping and illegal grazing: 17 offences; fines of ₹32,500
- Total: 75 offences; fines exceeding ₹13.30 lakh recovered/imposed
Forest Department Warns Against Wildlife Harassment
The department has appealed to citizens to immediately inform the nearest Forest Department office or field staff if they encounter activities such as:
- Harassment or disturbance of wild animals
- Illegal hunting
- Unauthorised entry into restricted forest areas
- Illegal timber extraction or transportation
- Other violations affecting wildlife and forest resources
The department has also urged citizens to report social-media reels, photographs or videos showing wildlife harassment, illegal lion shows or sightings, entry into prohibited areas or hunting-related activities.
Protecting Gir’s Asiatic Lions
Gir is the last natural stronghold of the Asiatic lion, making enforcement against human interference and illegal activities particularly important. The Gujarat Forest Department has also been strengthening monitoring and protection measures following recent wildlife-health and human-lion conflict concerns in the Gir landscape.
The latest enforcement action signals the department’s continued focus on preventing activities that could threaten wildlife, forest resources and the ecological integrity of the Gir landscape.
Background: Gir and the Asiatic Lion
Gir National Park and the surrounding Gir landscape in Gujarat are the last remaining natural habitat of the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) in the world. The species is protected under India’s wildlife laws, and the Gir ecosystem is therefore a major focus of wildlife conservation and protection efforts.
Read Also: Asia’s First Desert-Themed Night Safari Gets CZA Approval in Gujarat
