The Gujarat government on Monday, 13 July announced a sweeping set of safety measures for the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary near Junagadh, including a permanent wildlife check post, round-the-clock deployment of 25 forest trackers, and thermal drone surveillance, following the fatal lion attack on Mayur Chauhan, an 11-year-old pilgrim from Kheda district. The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting of the Forest and Environment Department after Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directed officials to urgently strengthen pilgrim safety on the hill route.

What Triggered the Response

Mayur Chauhan, an 11-year-old boy from Kheda district, was attacked by a lion near the 50th step of the new Girnar stairway while climbing the hill with his family during a pre-dawn pilgrimage. The attack proved fatal. Authorities temporarily closed the route following the incident and captured three lions from the area as part of the investigation. The tragedy has renewed scrutiny over visitor safety along one of Gujarat's most significant pilgrimage corridors.

Key Safety Measures Announced

Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia, addressing the media in Gandhinagar alongside Minister of State Pravin Mali and senior department officials, outlined the government's response. Permanent check posts will be established at sensitive locations within the sanctuary where wildlife movement is frequent, enabling continuous monitoring. A comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be prepared under the chairmanship of the Junagadh Collector in coordination with all concerned administrative departments, covering pilgrim safety, wildlife management, emergency response, and inter-departmental coordination.

25 Forest Department trackers will be deployed on permanent vigil along the pilgrimage route, and thermal drone surveillance will be introduced for continuous monitoring of wildlife movement across the sanctuary. Permanent advisory signboards and safety instructions will also be installed along the route.

Silence Zone and Noise Restrictions

In a notable step to reduce human-wildlife conflict, both the Girnar and Datar stairway routes will be declared a permanent 'Silence Zone'. Loud music and unnecessary noise will be prohibited in the area. The government also plans to launch a public awareness campaign to educate pilgrims and local residents on appropriate behaviour within wildlife habitats.

Broader Context: Asiatic Lions Beyond Gir

The Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the outskirts of Junagadh, forms part of the wider landscape inhabited by the endangered Asiatic lion, whose population has expanded well beyond the Gir National Park in recent years. This territorial expansion has progressively increased interactions between lions and people in surrounding areas — including pilgrimage routes — making human-wildlife conflict a growing concern for forest authorities. The 13 July attack is the latest in a series of incidents that have tested the state's ability to balance wildlife conservation with public safety.

What Comes Next

The state government has indicated that the SOP will be finalised under the Junagadh Collector's chairmanship, with all departments coordinating on implementation. Thermal drone surveillance infrastructure is to be set up alongside the immediate deployment of trackers. Modhwadia reiterated that the government remains committed to maintaining a balance between pilgrim safety and wildlife conservation at the sanctuary.