Lion attacks 12-year-old boy in Girnar Hill, drags him into forest

The incident sparked concern among locals in Girnar and the victim's family, who alleged that lions had been spotted near the staircase for the past few days. They also raised concerns over inadequate lighting and security arrangements, saying the lack of visibility during early morning hours made it difficult for pilgrims to spot wild animals.

In Short

• Ninth lion attack in state in past 46 days
• Authorities capture three lions, shift them to Sakkarbaug Zoo
• Victim's family to get Rs 10 lakh compensation

A 12-year-old boy was killed in a lion attack while climbing the steps of Gujarat's Girnar Hill on Saturday morning, officials said. The incident, which took place at the popular pilgrimage site in Junagadh, marks the ninth lion attack on humans reported in the state over the past 46 days.

The victim, identified as Mayur Singh from Modaj village in Kheda district, was climbing the Girnar steps with his family when the attack took place.

According to officials, the family had begun the climb at around 5.45 am after staying overnight near the pilgrimage site. They had climbed only about 50 steps when a lion emerged from the nearby forest and attacked the boy, who was holding his uncle's hand. The animal dragged him into the forest before anyone could react.

THREE LIONS CAPTURED

Forest department personnel, police and rescue teams rushed to the spot and launched a search operation. The boy's shoes, clothes and partial remains were later recovered from the forest.

Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Akshay Joshi said preliminary findings suggested that the lions were attempting to cross from the forest when one of them attacked the child.

Around 60 to 70 personnel from the Junagadh Forest Division, Social Forestry Department and the Sasan rescue team were deployed during the search operation. Three lions suspected to have been involved in the attack were tranquilised and shifted to Sakkarbaug Zoo for medical examination.

Officials said preliminary veterinary findings indicated that one of the lions had human remains in its vomit, while other body parts of the victim were recovered from different locations in the forest.

The victim's family will receive Rs 10 lakh as compensation under the state's existing policy for deaths caused by wildlife attacks, officials said.

SAFETY CONCERNS AT PILGRIMAGE SITE

The incident sparked concern among locals and the victim's family, who alleged that lions had been spotted near the staircase for the past few days. They also raised concerns over inadequate lighting and security arrangements, saying the lack of visibility during early morning hours made it difficult for pilgrims to spot wild animals.

Authorities temporarily suspended access to the Girnar steps after the attack. The pilgrimage route is expected to reopen after a detailed inspection by the forest department.

The forest department said it would prepare a special safety plan for pilgrims, including deploying additional personnel and examining a proposal to install fencing along nearly 2,000 steps of the Girnar route in consultation with the district administration.

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