Gir Heritage Lodge set up in Sasan

AHMEDABAD: From 31 lions in 1893 to 523 in 2015, lion conservation has a long history. The history of this conservation effort will be on display at the Gir Heritage Gallery which is coming up at Sasan as a part of celebrations of the sanctuary turning 50 years old.
Wildlife lovers visiting Gir will now be able to get rare photos of lions in their drawing rooms. The state forest department as a part of the celebrations has shortlisted a set of 10 photographs which will go on sale at the souvenir shop at Sasan.
The sanctuary turned 50 on September 19, 2016.Chief conservator of forests A P Singh said “The Gir Heritage Gallery will not only showcase conservation efforts from the time of the Nawab of Junagadh to the Gujarat forest department, but will also showcase the researchers who have done good work on lions. The department will also display the messages with their photographs. Messages of all the prime ministers and presidents and those of important dignitaries will be on display.”
The gallery will also serve as a research laboratory for those who want to study lions and their behavior. He further said that an eight-minute film highlighting the conservation and growth of lions over 50 years has been made.
Singh said that 20-odd senior staffers will also be felicitated. These staffers have been working in the sanctuary for between two to three decades.