Gujarat plans to have a state-of-the-art genetic laboratory dedicated to the conservation of Asiatic lion. The laboratory will have a library of the lion’s gene map and maintain sperm, egg, cell and tissue bank of the big cat for biological use and genetic studies.

According to the officials of the state Forest Department, this is being done as part of the Gujarat government’s conservation plan for the endangered lions of Gir.

The proposed laboratory, Gujarat Institute of Wildlife Genomics (GIWG) or LEOGEN, will come up at Sakkar Baug Zoo in Junagadh.

A joint project of the state Forest Department and the Gujarat State Bio-technology Mission (GSBM), LEOGEN will be set up at an estimated cost of over Rs 10 crore.

“We have already received a couple of crores for LEOGEN and the details of the project are being considered by the state government. Work for LEOGEN will start in about a month’s time. The entire project is expected to take about three years to complete,” said Pradeep Khanna, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Gujarat.

With this, Gujarat will become the first state in the country to have a genetic laboratory for conservation of its wildlife assets. Sasan Gir in Gujarat is the last habitat of the Asiatic lion in the world. As per the last census, there are only 359 lions in the state.

LEOGEN is aimed at conserving the endangered Asiatic lion through biotechnological interventions. It will have facilities for DNA banking, cellular studies, proteomics, cryogenics and bio-informatics.

... contd.