AHMEDABAD: The amicus curiae in the PIL filed suo motu by the Gujarat high court for lion conservation has told the court that the area surrounding Gir is being given to corporate houses and it would lead to destruction of the forest area.
Advocate Hemang Shah tendered an affidavit in the HC on Wednesday in response to the state government’s submissions that no land parcel has been allotted till date for railway track upgradation and for laying down of pipelines for oil and gas and fibre optic, and there are proposals only to this effect at different levels.
The amicus curiae questioned the forest department’s claims that land has not been allotted for railway line upgradation and electrification. He cited a TOI report published on December 4 saying that there was no environment impact assessment before sending a proposal for allotment of 148 hectare land for this project. He also submitted that laying down of pipelines for oil and gas would lead to environmental damage in future.
After refuting government claims that steps are undertaken to protect Asiatic lions and the forest, the amicus curiae urged the HC to stay the operation and implementation of these proposals. “If the abode of Asiatic lions is not protected, then there will be no more lions. The entire region is being eroded in a systematic manner. The area surrounding Gir is given to corporate houses and which will lead to destruction of the forest area,” amicus curie’s reply reads.