Panaji: Gujarat Tourism Minister J Narayan
Vyas has advocated a campaign, on the lines of the one to save
tigers, to arrest the declining numbers of the lions.
"Government of India has earmarked Rs 200 crore to
protect tigers. The step is in right direction. But there also
should be similar efforts to save the lions," Vyas said at the
conference of Tourism Ministers near here yesterday.
He appealed to Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja to
work out a programme to protect lions in Gir Wildlife
sanctuary located in Gujarat.
"There are 1,430 tigers in India and 600 Asiatic Lions.
Why can't we have a campaign to save lions too," Vyas asked.
The minister also expected Union Ministry’s intense
participation in various tourism-oriented festivals organised
in Gujarat by the local government.
Vyas requested the Union Tourism Ministry to liason with
the Railway Ministry to get the 'Palace on Wheels' project for
Gujarat.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, March 07, 2010, 18:52