The state government has failed to implement the directions issued by the Gujarat High Court way back in October 2018, for protection of Asiatic Lions. It was evident by the reply filed by the district development officer of Gir-Somnath district before the court on Wednesday, which provides that the government is yet to propagate and sensitise the farmers to apply for a government subsidy scheme of up to Rs 16,000 for covering the open-wells, a major reason for lion deaths. The state also failed to submit the action taken a report on the steps taken by it to prevent rampant lion deaths, which became a major cause of concern among wildlife activists. Notably, a division bench of the high court on October 17 had directed the state government to take all possible measures to put an end to the lion deaths happening in the Gir region due to the three major causes, namely, the spread of the virus, open wells, and electrocution. The court had also directed the state to sensitise and create awareness among people about government subsidy schemes for covering open-wells and submit an action taken report before it in a periodic manner, with the first such report to be submitted by January 15, 2019. Notably, the state government had earlier submitted before the court that there were around 18,000 open wealth in the three districts of Gir-Somnath, Junagadh and Amreli.

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