Gujarat to Hire 25 Trackers For Mount Girnar After Lion Sightings

The Gujarat Forest Department plans to appoint 25 wildlife trackers exclusively for the Mount Girnar region following repeated lion sightings and a fatal attack that killed a 12-year-old child in July. The trackers will monitor animal movement and help protect pilgrims using the stairways leading to shrines on the mountain.

The appointments will be made on 11-month contracts, with each tracker receiving a monthly payment of ₹15,914. The recruitment drive has attracted considerable interest, with authorities receiving approximately 3,400 applications for the 25 available positions. Details about the selection process and the expected deployment date were not included in the available report.

The decision follows at least two incidents since July 11 in which prides of lions were seen crossing the stairways on Mount Girnar. The sightings raised safety concerns because pilgrims frequently use these routes during hours when visibility is limited and wildlife may be more active. The fatal attack during the same month increased pressure for stronger surveillance.

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Mount Girnar is one of Gujarat’s most prominent pilgrimage destinations and contains several shrines considered sacred by Hindus and Jains. Nearly 10,000 steps lead towards the mountain’s peak, and visitors can access the religious sites through three stairway routes. Many pilgrims begin climbing at night or early in the morning to reach the shrines.

The proposed trackers are expected to observe lion movements and alert forest personnel and pilgrims when animals approach commonly used routes. Their local knowledge and field presence could support quicker responses when lions are spotted near the stairways. However, trackers cannot eliminate every risk in a landscape where people and wildlife share the same environment.

Authorities will need to combine tracking with clear warnings, route management and communication with pilgrims, particularly during periods of increased animal movement. Visitors should follow instructions issued by forest officials, avoid approaching or provoking wildlife and remain within designated routes. The initiative seeks to preserve access to the pilgrimage site while reducing the possibility of further human-wildlife conflict.

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