Talk: Successful Prosecution of Poaching of 10 Asiatic Lions in Gir Sanctuary

Shri Narendra Modi, Hon'ble Prime Minister, and then Chief Minister of Gujarat trekked inside the Gir National Sanctuary, the abode of Asiatic Lions. The trek was to visit a wildlife crime sce-ne wherein ten Asiatic Lions were poached. This visit to the wild-life crime scene of Asiatic Lions by the Chief Minister, is one of its kind, and remains unprecedented. He was the first to recognize the global implication of wild-life crime & trafficking, importance of wild-life conservation and the application of forensic science for prosecution and conviction. The case remains to be distinc-tive for the convergence of the application of conventional forensics, in wildlife crime investiga-tion.

Keshav Kumar has had the honor of representing this case before the Interpol, SAWEN, WWF and receiving the “Wildlife Service Award” by Sanctuary Asia in 2013 for this work. The case also gave him an opportunity to interact with wildlife conservationists such as Belinda Wright, who played a vital role during the investigation of the case. During this talk, Keshav will share his ex-perience working under the close supervision of Shri Narendra Modi, as well as highlight the twists and turns of the creative Forensic investigation process culminating in the conviction of 38 poachers, the biggest conviction in a Wildlife Crime investigation.

Keshav Kumar is an alumnus of the St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi. He has served as the Di-rector General of Anti-Corruption in Gujarat, IPS of 1986 Batch. His past position also includes Joint Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation in Delhi, and Mumbai.

He has received the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service & Police Medal for Meri-torious Service.