GANDHINAGAR — Approximately 1,690 trees have been illegally felled in a protected forest reserve that serves as a corridor for Asiatic lions in Gujarat, with forest department staff among those accused in the case, officials confirmed.
The large-scale tree felling took place within a 563-hectare reserve forest area in Palitana taluka of Bhavnagar district. The forest department has registered a case following the discovery of the illegal activity, though details regarding the number of accused and their specific roles have not been disclosed.
The involvement of forest staff in the alleged crime has raised serious concerns about internal accountability and oversight mechanisms within the department. The area in question is part of a critical wildlife corridor used by the endangered Asiatic lion population, whose habitat is largely confined to Gujarat's Gir forest and surrounding regions.
The Asiatic lion, classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, has seen its population gradually recover in recent decades through conservation efforts. However, habitat fragmentation and illegal activities continue to pose significant threats to the species. Authorities have not yet announced whether any arrests have been made in connection with the case.
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