When Goddess Durga, with eyes like glowing lotuses, stands on a lion, her fearless pose signifies freedom from evil. The lion represents her power. This exotic animal has a unique place in mythology. Lord Krishna called himself Mrigraj. Sinhansan is the throne of a king. The English language has a euphonious adjective called ‘leonine’ to compliment a man’s valour.
Perhaps, the word is apt to describe Parimal Nathwani, who has dedicated his life to lions in the Gir forest.
“I feel that lions are not just animals; they are my family! I love them. It’s my duty to protect, promote and conserve lions and gir forests as much as I can. Watching lions makes me recharged” Parimal Nathwani, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) & Director Corporate Affairs, RIL, told a Mumbai tabloid.
Such was Nathwani’s passion for lions that he would travel 215 km from his native Jamkhambhaliya to Gir forest. Since then, he has been working zealously to protect the LIONS of the GIR forest with the help of forest officials, trackers, maldharis, and the people, the paper reported. For 35 years, he has dedicated himself to the service of lions in the Gir forest.
In recent times, numerous reports have emerged about lions succumbing to accidents. He realised that something had to be done to preserve this royal animal. Along with the Reliance Group of Industries, he fenced scores of open wells with grills on all four sides preventing accidents at night. The group is also going to start a new lion hospital, which will have a team of well-qualified to protect the lion family, the tabloid added.
“The department has already shared a list of wells with us. We will work out an estimate and begin work within a fortnight,” Nathwani was quoted as saying.
He has urged the locals to ensure that the ecosystem between the lions and humankind is not harmed. Asiatic lions, he believes, are friendlier with humankind as opposed to the African lions who are more aggressive towards humans.
Further, he advocated the use of trackers to manage and expand the Gir forest. “Trackers are the heart of Gir forest. They take care of everything about lions and inform forest officials and doctors whenever there is a causality,” he said.
He believes humankind should do more for lions than just initiate some fee-good measures. He added, “Upgrading existing hospitals with new infrastructure is the need of the hour as it would help the department to provide the best treatment to injured or sick lions. Three sites including the extension of Sasan hospital have already been identified for this.”
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