Question : Loss of Wildlife due to Flood

(a) whether the Government is aware of the deaths of wild animals including lions due to excessive rains and floods in some areas of the country recently and if so, the details thereof, animal species and State-wise;
(b) the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether some wild animals including lions have fled from the forests/wildlife sanctuaries including Gir forest and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(d) the relief measures undertaken in this regard along with the details of the steps taken by the Government to prevent the loss of animals due to such natural calamities?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a)and (b) Deaths of wild animals including lions due to excessive rains and floods in some areas of the country recently cannot be ruled out. The Central Government does not compile the data of such death of wild animals. However, as per the report received from the State Government of Gujarat, the details of death of wild animals including lions due to excessive rain and flood recently is as under:

S.No. Name of Species No. of death
1. Asiatic Lion 10
2. Spotted deer 87
3 Blue bull 1670
4. Black buck 9
5. Wild boar 6
6. Porcupine 1
7 Jackal 1
Total 1784

The Ministry provides central assistance sought by the concerned State Governments for activities including rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

(c) As informed by the State Government of Gujarat, wild animals including lions have not fled from the forest/Wildlife sanctuaries including Gir forest.

(d) Important relief measures undertaken by the State Government of Gujarat and the steps taken by the Ministry to prevent the loss of animals due to such calamities includes:

Important relief measures undertaken by the State Government includes:

i. Scanning of the affected area for locating the live /dead animals by team of forest official, wildlife trackers, veterinary doctors, villagers, NDRF team and wildlife lovers and NGOS.
ii. Continuous monitoring of live wildlife in the area for the health and injuries to the wildlife so that immediate relief could be given to live animals and if required could be rescued to the rescue centre.
iii. Disposal of dead wildlife from the area.

The Ministry provides assistance to States/ Union Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats, Project Elephant and Project Tiger for various activities related to habitat improvement including soil and moisture conservation and water development activities.


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