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Gujarat Relocation Scheme for Maldharis in Lion Habitat

Source:Indian Express ↗

কেন এটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ

The article touches upon critical conservation dilemmas in India: balancing biodiversity conservation (establishing a second home for the endangered Asiatic lion) with the rights and rehabilitation of traditional pastoralist communities (Maldharis) affected by protected area expansions.

সারসংক্ষেপ

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced a comprehensive relocation and rehabilitation package for the Maldhari pastoralist community living inside the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, which has been designated as the second home for Asiatic lions. The scheme aims to balance wildlife conservation goals—such as expanding lion habitats and mitigating human-wildlife conflict—with the socio-economic welfare and rights of local pastoralist communities.

মূল বিষয়

  • Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced a rehabilitation and relocation scheme for Maldharis (pastoralist community) residing in the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is being developed as the second home for Asiatic lions.
  • The relocation scheme aims to reduce human-animal conflict, minimize ecological pressure on the sanctuary, and ensure structured rehabilitation for the pastoralists.
  • The initiative aligns with broader conservation efforts to expand the geographic distribution of Asiatic lions beyond their primary habitat in Gir.

গুরুত্বপূর্ণ শব্দ

Barda Wildlife Sanctuary

A protected area located in Gujarat spanning Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts, designated as the second home for Asiatic lions to expand their range beyond the Gir Forest.

UPSC context

UPSC Prelims/Mains: Environment & Ecology, Protected Areas, Biodiversity conservation, and Project Lion initiatives.

Source
Maldharis

A traditional pastoralist community residing in Gujarat's forests, known for livestock rearing, whose voluntary relocation from protected areas aims to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

UPSC context

UPSC Mains: Vulnerable sections, tribal/pastoral rights, and development-induced displacement vs. conservation goals.

Source

প্রিলিমস ফাঁদ

Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the core Gir National Park ecosystem.

Aspirants often assume Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is located inside Gir National Park, whereas it is a distinct sanctuary in Porbandar/Jamnagar districts.

সংযুক্ত স্থির ধারণা

Environment & Ecology Protected Areas

What are the key legal categories of protected areas under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

  • National Parks: National Parks have the highest degree of protection; grazing and human activities are strictly prohibited.
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: Sanctuaries allow certain rights for local communities and limited grazing, subject to Chief Wildlife Warden permission.
  • Reserves: Conservation/Community Reserves act as buffer zones or corridors between protected areas, managed through local committees.

আন্তঃবিষয় প্যাটার্ন

  • Wildlife Conservation vs Forest Rights Act

    Protected area relocations highlight the tension between the Wildlife Protection Act provisions and the Forest Rights Act implementation for pastoralists.

  • Lion Relocation & NTCA Compensation Norms

    As Asiatic lions are translocated, ensuring genetic diversity and managing human-animal interface mirrors Project Tiger relocation strategies.

Expect a multi-statement prelims question on Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Asiatic lion distribution, and NTCA financial compensation norms.

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 1

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 1

  • 2017PrelimsGS1

    Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites?