Lion Scare on Palitana Hill: Drones, Watch Towers for Pilgrim Safety

GANDHINAGAR: The sighting and movement of Asiatic lions on Shatrunjaya Hill in Palitana has triggered heightened concern over the safety of thousands of Jain pilgrims who climb the sacred hill on foot to reach the sacred Jain tirth, prompting the Gujarat Forest Department to prepare a round-the-clock surveillance plan using drones, watch towers and continuous lion tracking.

Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia chaired a meeting with Jain leaders of Shri Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi in Gandhinagar on Tuesday to discuss measures aimed at preventing any confrontation between pilgrims and wildlife.

The minister said the Forest Department would deploy drones, four prefabricated watch towers and four centre-cum-cabins, besides maintaining continuous tracking and scanning of lion movements.

“We will ensure round-the-clock surveillance and take every possible measure to protect pilgrims while conserving the lions and their habitat,” Modhwadia said.

The department has reportedly studied lion movement in and around Shatrunjaya Hill over the past year. Officials said lions generally avoid attacking humans unless provoked or disturbed, but cautioned pilgrims against approaching or harassing wildlife.

Modhwadia advised pilgrims to begin their climb after sunrise and complete the pilgrimage before sunset, when visibility and monitoring conditions are better.

The government is also considering declaring the area a Silent Zone to minimise disturbance to wildlife. Local youths may be temporarily engaged in lion tracking and assisting pilgrims.

Jain leaders said the community has consistently supported wildlife conservation and urged pilgrims to maintain discipline while undertaking the pilgrimage.

“We have always had a positive experience working with the Forest Department. Pilgrims should remain peaceful and avoid disturbing wildlife,” representatives of Shri Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi said.

The Forest Department also presented a detailed plan covering public awareness, infrastructure, habitat management, drone surveillance, tracking systems and additional manpower.

Officials said the pilgrimage route would also be repaired to improve walking conditions while addressing environmental concerns.

The measures come as authorities seek to strike a delicate balance between protecting a globally important Asiatic lion population and ensuring the safety of pilgrims at one of Gujarat’s most important Jain pilgrimage sites.