Ahmedabad: Leader of the Opposition in the Gujarat state Assembly, Paresh Dhanani on Thursday alleged that the lax attitude of the state government led to the death of 23 lions in Gir forest and the leader sought an explanation from Chief Minister Vijay Rupani over the “man-made tragedy”.

Mr. Dhanani had written a letter over the issue to Mr. Rupani and sought action against the people responsible for not coming up with a proactive action plan to handle the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV). The virus is believed to be the main reason behind the deaths of so many lions.

The leader also alleged that the government, despite knowing that the disease was the reason behind the deaths of a large number of lions in Africa in the past, did not brought the vaccine CDV for the disease in advance and instead imported it at the last moment.

“The government knew that a vaccine is available to deal with CDV. However, we imported it (from the US) only after 23 lions succumbed to the infection. Such last minute arrangement led to this man-made tragedy. Why didn’t we bring the vaccine well in advance?” asked Mr. Dhanani in the letter.

“Lions could have been saved had the vaccine been made available well in advance. I firmly believe that action must be taken against those who were responsible for this man-made tragedy,” the Congress leader said.

He sought from Mr. Rupani an official probe to know whether the non-availability of the vaccine was a “conspiracy”.

While making his reference to the provisions enlisted under the Gir Management Plan to conserve lions in the area, Mr. Dhanani alleged that the duty was not being done properly by the senior forest officials.

He went on to claim that according to the plan, it was mandatory for the officials to walk inside the protected forests for at least 50 kms inside, once in a month.

“In reality, officials hardly follow this provision of conducting foot patrolling. They only roam around in vehicles. As a result, health status of lions living inside deep forest is not known immediately,” Mr. Dhanani claimed.

Mr. Dhanani asked Mr. Rupani about the steps taken by the government since the 2013 Supreme Court judgment which directed the state government to find out new home for lions.

He alleged that the Supreme Court was given mere assurances over the issue by the state government, but did not undertake any kind of concrete step to save those lions.

At an earlier moment, the state government had admitted that CDV and Protozoa infection were mainly responsible for the death of not less than 11 of total 23 Gir forest lions last month.

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