Rajkot: In the event of a real life that resembles a scene from Bollywood films, ‘Sherni’, the villagers of Mendarda Taluka and Junagadh Taluka are in Loggerheads with forest officers on grazing problems in forest areas where three cows are concluded by the forest.
Department, killed by a lion 10 days ago.
While the villagers blamed the Department of Forest deliberately feeding livestock to lions, Foresters stated that they only issued their duties.
The Ministry of Forestry has ordered an investigation but when coals refused to die, forest officials were forced to warn the forest minister about the clash.
Several villages Mendarda Taluka remained closed on Monday which protested the efforts of the forestry department to use wildlife lovers and veterinarians in their defense.
According to the details of the case, on July 21, 15 cows belonging to Rambhai Tapariya graze in Ratancara Beat of North Range in the Junagadh Forestry Department – the protection area where grazing is prohibited.
The Ministry of Forestry seized livestock and asked Tapariya to pay a fine and get the cattle released.
Bovine was taken to Ranshivav Forest Chowki in the forest after Tapariya failed to gather her livestock.
The Forestry Department arranged to place a cow in Shala Gum (beef warehouse) and safely stored in a compound wall.
However, forest officials said they saw a female lion several kilometers away and when trying to divert it to save livestock, it roared.
It scares cows that run away in all directions breaking the tethering rope.
In the process, the lion killed three cows and villagers claimed one disappeared cow.
When contacted, Taparia said, “My cow is not in the forest area.
I have no problem paying a fine, but I worry they will beat me like that happens with some other livestock farmers.
So, I don’t leave.” This problem immediately snowing into controversy Great with BJP leaders and members of Taluka Panchayat from Besan, Hasmukh Kathiriya, known as Gandubhai, leading agitation against the Ministry of Forestry.
Kathiriya demanded action against forest officials on duty who according to him deliberately gave cows to lions as prey.
He demanded compensation for livestock owners.
Kathiriya represents his case to the Minister of Forest and senior officials who accuse that illegal lion shows are being carried out at night in this area.
“Livestock breeders were transferred in 2009 after the area was declared a place of sanctuary.
At that time it was an agreement that livestock would be allowed to graze.
But now forest officials do not update livestock farmers tickets,” Kathiriya told Toi.
However, the source of the Forestry Department claimed that livestock was found grazing outside the appointed area in the forest.
Again, Pass Tapariya was also not extended because it was initially published in his father’s name and he did not meet the requirements to publish him with his name.
A further source accused that the Kathiriya had ax to grind against foresters and deliberately commit this problem.
Deputy Junagadh Forest Conservator, Sunil Berwal said, “The main question revealed that our staff was innocent, but only issued their duties.
But following the complaints of villagers, the head of the forest conservator had ordered an investigation and we were waiting for a report.”
Department of Forest, Villagers Cross Swords
