Work To Install Intrusion Detection Device Has Begun: Railways Tells Gujarat HC In Plea Concerning Asiatic Lion Deaths On Train Tracks

In a plea concerning the death of Asiatic Lions whose bodies were found on railway tracks in and around Gir forest, the Railways informed the Gujarat High Court on Friday (May 9) that a tender was awarded for installation of intrusion detecting device and the work for installing it has commenced which will be completed in a year. 

A division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi were hearing a plea regarding incidents concerning deaths of Asiatic Lions on railway tracks near Gir forest in Amreli district.

Last year the court was informed that a High-Level Committee has been established under the supervision of the Ministry of Railways and the Forest Department of Gujarat.This committee has been tasked with developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at protecting the Asiatic Lions in Gir and ensuring their movement is unobstructed in the Gir Protected Areas. The committee is also responsible for investigating past incidents and formulating preventive measures.

During the hearing Advocate Ram Nandan Singh appearing for the Railways informed the high court upon instructions, that the tender for installation of intrusion detection device for tracking movement of Lion along the railway tracks has been awarded with a issuance of letter of acceptance dated March 17, 2025; and the work has commenced which is expected to be completed within a period of one year. 

"10-15 metres we can detect if there is any movement of Lion. Suppose train is not there still we can detect and we can come to know of movement of Lions," Singh said. 

Additional Advocate General Manisha Lavkumar Shah appearing for the State submitted that the committee had approved the system. "Much needed system; because this is the most effective system. We are slowly moving towards it," she submitted

The court thereafter in its order noted, "This device has duly been approved by he high-level committee as per the directions issued by this court, as per the statement made Ms Manisha Lavkumar Shah, additional advocate general for the state forest department". 

With respect to any further incidents the additional advocate general said, "So far we have done okay. From January we have not found any incident...Wherever there is we found it was electrocution or some other cause. Even that now that the committee is in place, that is reviewed". 

"Submission is that the high level committee is monitoring about the functioning of the Gir forest and Gir sanctuary. The court also noted the submission that the exercise of Lion census has commenced and it is going to end very soon," the court noted in its order. 

Noting the above the court posted the matter in August. 

Case Title: Suo Motu v. Union of India & Ors.

R/WRIT PETITION (PIL) NO. 56 of 2018