Gujarat to relocate Maldhari families from Barda Sanctuary

Gandhinagar: With the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary fast emerging as a second home for Asiatic lions, the Gujarat government has announced a scheme to relocate the Maldhari (livestock guardian) families from the protected forested and hilly region.

Following the National Tiger Conservation Authority rules, the scheme offers families a one-time payment of Rs 15 lakh if they choose to move out of the sanctuary.

Under the scheme, a 100-square-yard housing plot will be allotted free of cost to each relocating family, subject to applicable rules. The collector or district-level committee may provide this land near any village outside the boundaries of the sanctuary and its eco-sensitive zone. The plot must be located at least 10 km from the limits of a municipal corporation and 5 km from the limits of a municipality.


Furthermore, an additional plot of up to 100 square yards may be provided for livestock purposes based on their requirements. The market value of this livestock plot will be deducted from the ₹15 lakh assistance package, and the remaining balance will be paid to the family.

The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary spans 192.31 square kilometres across Gujarat's Porbandar and Jamnagar districts. It has been developed under Project Lion as the official second home and western satellite refuge for the Asiatic lion. This initiative aims to reduce pressure on the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, which has witnessed a significant increase in its lion population over the past few years.

Currently, 17 Asiatic lions, including breeding adults and cubs, have settled in Barda, which is also home to roughly 25 Indian leopards, striped hyenas, wolves and more than 150 species of birds.

The Gujarat government has constituted a state-level committee to oversee the implementation of the scheme.