After Lion Fatality, Gujarat Deploys Drones and Trackers on Mount Girnar for Pilgrim Safety
The Gujarat government announced on Thursday that it will deploy thermal drone cameras and 25 forest trackers along the pilgrim trek on Mount Girnar in Junagadh district, following the tragic death of an 11-year-old boy who was attacked by a lion on July 11.
The victim, Mayur Chauhan, a resident of Modaj village in Kheda district, was climbing the Datar hill—a trek of about 3,000 steps leading to a temple—with his family when the incident occurred. According to eyewitnesses and relatives, the family had ascended only about 50 steps from the main entrance when a lion emerged from the darkness, attacked the boy, and took him into the forest. His body was later recovered.
The decision to enhance safety measures was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Gujarat's Chief Minister. Officials said thermal drones will help monitor lion movement in the forested areas adjacent to the trek, while trackers will be stationed along the route to alert pilgrims and guide them to safety if needed.
Mount Girnar, a popular pilgrimage site, is located near the Gir Forest—the last remaining habitat of the Asiatic lion. While lions typically avoid human settlements, encounters have increased in recent years due to the growing lion population and human activity in the region. Forest department data shows that between 2016 and 2021, at least five people were killed in lion attacks in the area.
The government has also urged pilgrims to follow safety guidelines, such as not walking alone, especially during early morning or late evening hours, and to stay within designated pathways. The deployment of drones and trackers is expected to be operational within a week.
