After the state declared 2,061.77 square kilometres around the Gir Protected Area as an Eco-Sensitive Zone, the locals have protested the move, claiming that any construction in the area won’t be possible without the permission of the forest department. 

To understand the situation better, the government had called the sarpanches of 29 villages, including those from Visvavadar, Amreli, Somnath and Jungadh talukas to Gandhinagar for a meeting with the Forest Minister Mulu Bera on Wednesday.

The forest minister tried to explain the advantages of the Eco-Sensitive Zone and said that it was important to save the Asiatic Lion of Gir. In response, the village chiefs said that they were not against saving the lives of lions.

However, the locals were against seeking forest department’s approval for every construction in the area.

Some of the sarpanches have now declared a tractor rally on October 24 in protest against the move. Notably, five BJP MLAs will also be part of the rally.

Why are residents of Saurashtra against the government’s decision?

As per the residents, once the government implements the decision, the farmers will have to seek permission from the forest department to dig a borewell, and any work in the area would not be possible without the department’s approval.

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