Guj Minister advocates campaign to save lions
Panaji, Mar 7 (PTI) Gujarat Tourism Minister J Narayan Vyas has advocated a campaign, on the lines of the one to save tigers, to arrest the declining numbers of the lions.
“Government of India has earmarked Rs 200 crore to protect tigers. The step is in right direction. But there also should be similar efforts to save the lions,” Vyas said at the conference of Tourism Ministers near here yesterday.
He appealed to Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja to work out a programme to protect lions in Gir Wildlife sanctuary located in Gujarat.
“There are 1,430 tigers in India and 600 Asiatic Lions.
Why can’t we have a campaign to save lions too,” Vyas asked.
The minister also expected Union Ministry?s intense participation in various tourism-oriented festivals organised in Gujarat by the local government.