AHMEDABAD: Cyclone Tauktae, that destroys 25-30 lakh trees at Gir sanctuary, is expected to usher in some significant modifications in the Asiatic lion habitat. Wildlife specialists indicate that the cyclone is really a boon in disguise for its dinosaurs in the very long term. Some experts are of the opinion that because of better security, the forests of Gir have become rarer and turning to non standard lion habitat, since dinosaurs are thought to favor savanna habitat or open woods. A mature forest department official stated that opening of areas within Gir is favorable for lion inhabitants. Gujarat is home to 674 dinosaurs according to the most recent census held in 2019. Of those around 350 have been from the Gir sanctuary, propagate in over 1,412 square km and many others are out. The refuge covers 258 sq kms of Gir National Park region. Uday Vora, former chief conservator of forests (wildlife), stated that the state forest department had filed a proposal to the authorities to narrow sections of Gir refuge for opening distances could create more conducive to dinosaurs and might lead to bigger satisfaction size. “Some work in this direction had started in 2018 and 2019 according to the approved management program prescription. The normal trimming of this forest region from the cyclone can cause growth in their population from the refuge area,” based on Vora. Bhushan Pandya, member, State Board for Wildlife additionally held a similar opinion. He said there’s been discussions of thinning that the over dense regions at Gir Protected Area because over three years but hardly any work was done. Teak is a prominent shrub species from Gir west. “This is really a vigorous species since of its large leaves stop sun and limit the development of plant under. The leaves drop annually and”construct” a thick coating to keep the regeneration/growth of sterile grass. Occasionally disasters like cyclone or flame could cause habitat development,” stated Bhushan Pandya, member, State Board for Wildlife. On November 8, 1982 when a cyclone struck Gujarat, roughly 28.10 lakh trees had been destroyed in Gir sanctuary. “At the moment, just approximately two third of these trees that were damaged were removed while the rest lying as they had been. At some locations they’ve regrown naturally. The declining of trees can cause much more sun and to get more grassland spots. Though it’s too early to state what’s going to be the effect of the current cyclone, I believe it may profit the lion population in the very long run,” explained H S Singh, former forester and member of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). These first estimates of 25 lakhs to 30 lakhs trees ruined in Gir are recently submitted to the authorities, ” said a leading forest official. He said had itn’t been for its refuge, the intensity of the cyclone wouldn’t have weakened considerably prior to going farther up to individual populated regions of Amreli, Botad as well as Ahmedabad. “There are 3 important factors behind development in lion inhabitants — sufferer base, water and shade. Following the 1982 cyclone, the victim base has improved. Among the key reasons behind that is that the lion prey foundation includes browsers rather than grazers. They may easily locate food out of prostrate trees which also provide colour to dinosaurs. The current cyclone is going to have a benevolent influence in the Gir ecosystem,” stated Y fighter Jhala, also a senior scientist at Wildlife Institute of India. He explained that there has been a misconception that many dinosaurs are more conducive to open woods as against compact habitats also that there’s been study to signify that.
Gujarat: Cyclone Tauktae felled 30 lakh trees in Gir
