Gujarat’s wildlife map is all set to change, now that the state Forest Department is carving out a new wildlife circle for north Gujarat, expanding the Junagadh based Gir Wildlife circle in line with the Greater Gir Project.

Besides helping the department focus on lion conservation in Gir, the creation of the new circle would also create a dedicated staff for the upkeep of the wildlife in the Little Rann of Kutch, Nalsarovar, and the sanctuaries of Banaskantha and Sabarkantha, say officials.

For Greater Gir, some areas in Bhavnagar frequented by lion prides are likely to be declared conservation reserves, while the Girnar forest belt in the foothills of Girnar mountains in Junagadh could be declared a sanctuary.

“Things are being worked out and it may take some time,” says Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Pradeep Khanna. The new move by the Forest Department comes in the wake of the setting up of a task force in the aftermath of lion poaching incidents in Gir last year. The department had felt that resources in Gir were getting overstretched and that a focused approach, backed adequately with technology, was the need of the hour.