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Barda Sanctuary Relocation Scheme for Asiatic Lion Conservation

Source:theprint ↗

Why It Matters

Crucial for understanding wildlife conservation policies in Gujarat, particularly concerning the translocation and creation of a second home for the Asiatic lion and the rights/rehabilitation of indigenous pastoralist communities like the Maldharis.

Summary

The Gujarat Chief Minister announced a special scheme to voluntarily relocate Maldhari pastoralists from the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary to establish it successfully as a second home for the endangered Asiatic lions. The relocation is aimed at minimizing human-animal conflict and fulfilling ecological requirements for expanding the lion population beyond Gir National Park.

Key Points

  • The Gujarat government announced a comprehensive rehabilitation and relocation scheme for Maldharis living inside the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Barda Sanctuary is being developed as a second home for the Asiatic lions to decongest Gir National Park and create a secure alternative habitat.
  • The relocation scheme ensures financial assistance, land or housing, and livelihood support to pastoralist Maldharis volunteering to move out for wildlife conservation.
  • This initiative aligns with long-term conservation strategies for the endangered Asiatic lion (Panthera leo leo), which is endemic to Gujarat's Saurashtra region.

Important Terms

Maldhari Rehabilitation Scheme

A state government scheme designed to voluntarily relocate Maldhari pastoralist families out of wildlife sanctuaries, such as Barda, to minimize human-animal conflict and create a secure habitat for Asiatic lions.

UPSC context

Crucial for GPSC Paper 3 (Environment, Biodiversity & State Governance), testing initiatives in wildlife conservation and indigenous pastoralist rights.

Source
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary

A protected area located in Gujarat's Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts, designated as a second home for the endangered Asiatic lions to reduce overcrowding in Gir National Park.

UPSC context

Important for GPSC Prelims and Mains (Environment & Wildlife Conservation in Gujarat), testing knowledge of protected area networks.

Source
Maldhari Pastoralists

Traditional semi-nomadic pastoralist communities residing in Gujarat's forest and protected areas, known for livestock rearing and harmonious coexistence with wildlife.

UPSC context

Relevant for GPSC General Studies (Society, Tribal Welfare, and Protected Area Management in Gujarat).

Source

Prelims Trap

Asiatic lions are distributed across wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Aspirants often confuse Barda Wildlife Sanctuary with Gir National Park or assume Asiatic lions are native to multiple Indian states, whereas they are strictly endemic to Gujarat's Saurashtra region.

Static Concepts Connected

Environment and Biodiversity Gujarat

What are the key protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat hosting endangered species?

  • Gir Sanctuary: Gir National Park is the sole wild home of the Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo leo) in the Saurashtra region.
  • Barda Sanctuary: Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka, serves as the designated second home for Asiatic lions.
  • Wild Ass Sanctuary: Wild Ass Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch is the exclusive habitat of the Indian Wild Ass (Khorkhur).
  • Marine Sanctuary: Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch is India's first marine sanctuary, known for coral reefs and mangroves.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Wildlife Conservation vs. Forest Rights Act (FRA)

    The relocation of pastoralists from Barda intersects Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (FRA) implementation with state wildlife corridor planning.

  • Asiatic Lion Relocation and Regional Ecology

    Expanding Asiatic lion habitat beyond Gir requires balancing pastoralist livelihoods with ecological carrying capacity in Saurashtra.

Expect a multi-statement statement-based question on Barda Sanctuary location, NTCA financial package, and Asiatic lion status.

Linked PYQs · 3

Linked PYQs · 3

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