Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Celebrates World Lion Day with Gir Forest Photo Exhibition
On August 10, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel marked World Lion Day with a special event in Junagad. He unveiled an exhibition of photographs that showcase the diverse biodiversity, natural beauty, and cultural heritage of Gir Forest. The exhibition aims to raise awareness about the unique ecosystem of Gir Forest, featuring images of Asiatic lions and other wildlife.
Patel shared, “On the occasion of World Lion Day, an exhibition of photographs highlighting Gir’s biodiversity, natural beauty, and cultural heritage was unveiled.” He added, “Gir Forest is a sanctuary for numerous species, including Asiatic lions, leopards, chitals, copper-spotted cats, vultures, royal vultures, and chilotros. The forest boasts a rich ecosystem with 41 species of mammals, 47 species of reptiles, 338 species of birds, and 635 species of plants.”
During the program, Patel emphasized the importance of environmental conservation. “It is our duty to preserve our heritage. Live and let live. Our efforts are to ensure that not only do we live well, but also that all living beings here live well,” he said. He also highlighted ongoing environmental initiatives, noting, “Plastic usage has gradually decreased. PM Modi started the campaign titled Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam for planting saplings. The trees we plant will grow, and we will take care of them.”
Addressing the issue of climate change, Patel added, “We are facing global warming. The increasing heat, which lasts for 4-5 days or even 15-20 days, can only be addressed by nurturing the environment and planting more trees.” He concluded, “To develop a developed India by 2047, it is essential to advance with a developed Gujarat and preserve our heritage.”
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the efforts of all those involved in the conservation and protection work of lions. The Prime Minister also took to his X handle on the occasion of World Lion Day to share a few stunning images of the big cats. PM Modi highlighted that in February this year, the Union Cabinet approved the setting up of the International Big Cat Alliance, to bring together all the nations of the world where big cats reside. This initiative aims to build a holistic approach to boost sustainable development and support community efforts in this regard, receiving an encouraging response globally.
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Gujarat CM -: Gujarat CM stands for Gujarat Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the head of the government in the Indian state of Gujarat.
Bhupendra Patel -: Bhupendra Patel is the current Chief Minister of Gujarat, a state in India.
World Lion Day -: World Lion Day is celebrated on August 10th every year to raise awareness about the conservation of lions.
Gir Forest -: Gir Forest is a national park in Gujarat, India, known for being the only place in the world where Asiatic lions live in the wild.
Photo Exhibition -: A photo exhibition is an event where photographs are displayed for people to view. In this case, it showcased pictures of the Gir Forest and its wildlife.
Biodiversity -: Biodiversity means the variety of different types of life found in a place. In Gir Forest, it includes many plants, animals, and other organisms.
Asiatic lions -: Asiatic lions are a type of lion found only in the Gir Forest of India. They are different from African lions.
Environmental conservation -: Environmental conservation means protecting the natural environment to keep it healthy and safe for all living things.
Plastic use -: Reducing plastic use means using less plastic to help protect the environment, as plastic can harm animals and nature.
Planting trees -: Planting trees helps the environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, and offering homes for wildlife.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India, the leader of the country.
International Big Cat Alliance -: The International Big Cat Alliance is a group that works globally to protect big cats like lions, tigers, and leopards.
