Days after lion killed boy climbing Girnar hill, Gujarat govt to deploy drones, appoint 25 new trackers

Ahmedabad, Jul 13 (PTI) Amid fear of lions on the prowl near the Girnar hill and a fatal attack on a boy, the Gujarat government has announced safety measures for pilgrims, including deployment of drones, appointment of 25 new trackers, and declaration of a silence zone to ensure wildlife is not disturbed. Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said on Monday that the decision was taken following directions from Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. "Immediately after the incident, the chief minister directed that urgent and strict measures be taken for the safety of pilgrims. We held a meeting with Forest Department officials today and have decided on several steps to ensure visitors' safety," Modhwadia told reporters in Gandhinagar. He said 25 new wildlife trackers would be appointed to monitor the movement of lions and assist in protecting pilgrims. Permanent security check posts would be set up at vulnerable locations, while drone surveillance would be introduced to monitor wildlife activity in and around the pilgrimage route, the minister said. The state government will also formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) in coordination with the Junagadh district administration to regulate pilgrims’ movement. Modhwadia said the entire area would be declared a "silence zone" to prevent disturbance to wildlife caused by loud music and other activities. "We will continuously scan the surrounding areas to monitor lion movement. Advisories and safety guidelines will also be issued for pilgrims so that such tragic incidents do not recur," he said. Mayur Chauhan, 11, was mauled to death by a lion while he was climbing the Girnar hill with his family in the early hours of Saturday. According to officials, the lion attacked and dragged away the boy near the stairway. His remains were later recovered and handed over to his family. Eyewitnesses had reported seeing three lions near the stairway. Forest officials subsequently captured a lioness and two lions from the area following the incident. The stairway was temporarily closed after the attack and reopened on Sunday. Thousands of pilgrims use the stairway every day to visit the temple of the goddess Amba and other Hindu and Jain temples atop Girnar Hill, situated in the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to a significant population of Asiatic lions. PTI PJT NSK