Restoring Saurashtra’s grasslands is key for the big cats to thrive in their natural habitat | The Indian Express

Restoring Saurashtra’s grasslands is key for the big cats to thrive in their natural habitat | The Indian Express

Written by Dheeraj Mittal |Updated: December 2, 2019 10:02:24 am

The writer, an IFS officer, presently serves as deputy conservator of forest, Gir West Forest Division in Junagadh. Views are personal

Restoring Saurashtra’s grasslands is key for the big cats to thrive in their natural habitat

Just like with lion conservation, grassland restoration can also be done with the participation of local communities. They can help in tending grasslands and clearing any woodlots, if required. Part of the proceeds from wood clearing can be shared with the panchayats.

Though lions are carnivores, there is an umbilical link between grass and the big cats. Grass is the starting point of all major food chains.

Recently, a video showing an Asiatic lion eating grass went viral on social media in Gujarat. Many wondered if lions indeed eat grass! As a matter of fact, wild carnivores often eat grass when they have a stomach upset so as to vomit undigested food, and in some cases, to encapsulate shards in bony food.