RAJKOT: The forest department has sanctioned the budget for two more animal rescue and rehabilitation centres - one each in Amreli and Gir-Somnath district to mitigate human-animal conflict in the revenue areas and provide quick treatment to sick and injured animals.The rescue centres were necessitated as wild animals are moving in the revenue areas now.One animal care centre is coming up in Liliya-Krakach area of Amreli district and another near Simar village of Veraval in Gir-Somnath.The centre in Liliya-Krakach will be used to treat animals moving around in the coastal belt from Amreli to Bhavnagar , where there is a significant population of lions in revenue areass. At present, animals are treated in Dhari or Mahuva. Forest department sources said there are nearly 100 lions in the 200 sq km area around Liliya and Krakach, which makes this centre all the more important.The government has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for this facility, which is being created in one hectare area. The centre will have enclosures where two animals at a time be treated besides six squeeze trap cage to keep animals for few days after treatment. There will be a postmortem room and one crematorium in this care centre.Conservator of forest (social forestry) AC Patel told TOI: "The rescue centres have been planned to mitigate human-animal conflict and provide timely treatment to wild animals. The existing one in Babarkot has also been upgraded."The area of Amreli falls under social forestry, but the officers are actively engaged in dealing with wild animals as the population of lions and leopards has increased over the last few years and they have occupied a new territory."The rescue and rehabilitation of animals will create trust among the people as the department will be able to take immediate action in case of emergencies. The same rescue centres are also useful for herbivores and birds.Jetha Gojia, assistant conservator of forest, Amreli said, "We plan to start this rescue centre by April with basic facility."The rescue centre coming near Simar village be helpful in areas like Sutrapada, Mangrol and Maliya Hatina where the movement of wild animal is seen. Currently, the big animal care centres with forest departments are Sasan, Jamvada, Jasadhar, Ranigala, Amrapar and Sakkarbaug.

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