Gujarat HC Issues Show-Cause Notice to Forest Authorities Over Asiatic Lion Deaths

The Gujarat High Court has issued a show-cause notice to the State forest authorities for failing to adhere to court directives aimed at preventing Asiatic lion deaths caused by train collisions near the Gir sanctuary.

This action follows a report submitted by Amicus Curiae Advocate Dharmesh Devnani, which detailed two lion deaths due to passenger trains near Amreli.

A bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi, expressed concern over the absence of critical safety measures. The report indicated that despite prior assurances, necessary measures such as proper fencing, underpasses, and cautionary notices for the Railways regarding lion presence were still not implemented. Additionally, there were no reductions in train speeds or improvements to locomotive headlights. The Court observed, “It is evident that the Railway authorities and the Forest Department have not been able to control the situation and have failed in their duties to ensure compliance with the directions of this Court so that the death of lions due to train collisions is avoided to the extent that there are no such incidents.”

The division bench added, “The two incidents occurred within a short period of one week or so, highlighting the approach of both the Railway authorities and the Forest Department officials. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Circle, Junagadh, in his affidavit, has responded point-by-point to the various directions given by us in the last order dated 12.07.2024, but there is complete silence on how he proposes to ensure compliance to prevent such incidents on the Railway track.”

The bench also noted a reported incident on July 18, 2024, where three carcasses—one lioness and two cubs—were found. Although there were suspicions about their deaths, the Forest Department made no disclosure. The Chief Conservator’s affidavit mentioned a recent incident on July 24, 2024, at the Liliya Railway Track but omitted the earlier incident reported in the newspaper.

It further addressed a more recent incident on July 24-25, 2024, where two lions were seriously injured by the Mahuva-Surat Passenger Train near Mile Stone 28/6 at 22:40 hours. According to the Amicus Curiae, one lion later died from its injuries. Despite the severe injuries to the lion, the Chief Conservator’s affidavit provided minimal information and was silent on any subsequent actions.

The Court referred to its orders dated July 12, 2024, which acknowledged the formation of a High-Level Committee under the supervision of the Ministry of Railways, the Forest Department, and the State of Gujarat to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent future lion deaths due to train collisions. The Court highlighted various recommendations by the Committee noted in the July 12, 2024 order. The matter was set for review on August 9, 2024, with instructions to present the Railway Board’s decisions regarding locomotive headlight improvements, speed relaxation, periodic vegetation shredding, underpass vegetation cleaning, and speed reduction as recommended by the Committee. However, the Court noted that the Railways had failed to file a compliance affidavit.

In its August 9 order, the Court directed the Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Circle, Junagadh, to show cause why the Court should not consider his response as evasion of its directions for Railway authorities and Forest Department officials to collaborate in preventing further lion deaths. The Court also demanded an explanation for the Chief Conservator’s silence regarding the July 18, 2024 incident reported in the newspaper.

The Court instructed that these issues be presented before the High-Level Committee, as the responses from the Railway and Forest Department officials were unsatisfactory. The Court has now scheduled the next hearing for August 30, 2024, requiring strict compliance with the directions.

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