Gujarat Rejigs Porbandar Forest Setup for Barda Lions

GANDHINAGAR : Gujarat has overhauled the Porbandar Forest Division to strengthen administrative support for Asiatic lions in Barda, which the state is developing as a second home for the big cats. The restructuring follows the natural return of lions to Barda after 143 years and aims to improve patrolling, forest management and wildlife protection.

The Forest and Environment Department issued the restructuring order on September 29, 2026, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State Pravin Mali also guided the exercise.

The government said the new structure will provide clearer field-level responsibilities and speed up the implementation of forest schemes and resolution of forest and environment-related issues.

The Porbandar Range will now cover 6,840.84 hectares and 80 villages, divided into beats including Porbandar City, Gosabara, Moker, Visavada, Kantela, Madhavpur and Satiya.

The Ranavav Range will cover 13,051.25 hectares and 27 villages, with areas such as Godana, Bileshwar, Savdivadar and Ranavav divided into separate beats.

A key change involves 305.94 hectares currently under the RFW Bhatia Range of Jamnagar Forest Division. The land, covering four villages in Bhanvad taluka of Devbhumi Dwarka district, will now come under the Bhanvad Range of Porbandar Forest Division.

The government has also brought the Kutiyana Range, Porbandar Social Forestry Range and Ranavav Social Forestry Range under the Porbandar Forest Division.

The reorganisation provides for two Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACFs). ACF-1 will oversee Porbandar and the two social forestry ranges, while ACF-2 will supervise Ranavav, Bhanvad, Kutiyana and the Mobile Squad.

“This restructuring will strengthen forest management and ensure clearer responsibilities at the range and beat levels,” the Forest and Environment Department said in its resolution.

One vacant ACF post from Kevadia will also be transferred to Porbandar, taking the division’s ACF strength to two.

The division will continue to function under the Junagadh Wildlife Circle. The Range Forest Officer will also oversee the Porbandar Mobile Squad.

The restructuring includes the transfer of staff, vehicles, weapons, wireless equipment, records, computers and other resources.

The government said the integrated structure covering Porbandar, Ranavav, Bhanvad and Kutiyana will provide stronger administrative support for Barda lion rehabilitation, forest conservation and wildlife management.