Gujarat Forest Department begins first phase of 16th Asiatic lions census
The Gujarat Forest Department on Saturday began the 16th Asiatic Lion census, to be held in two phases, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The census — the first field census since 2015 — will be carried out across 11 districts, covering approximately 35,000 square km and using the Direct Beat Verification (DBV) method, said the government statement.
Confirming the development, Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera said, 'It is an auspicious beginning of the lion census. From 2 pm today to 2pm tomorrow (Sunday), the first phase of the census will be held… The second phase will be carried out from May 12 to May 13'.
'A total area of 35000 square km in 58 talukas will be covered by 735 counting units in 32 zones… This time, apart from the forest officials, volunteers and about 600 sarpanches have also joined the census,' Bera added.
The final phase of the census will be undertaken on May 12 and 13 in the districts of Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Amreli, Porbandar and Botad, according to the government statement. In attempts for the conservation of the Asiatic Lions, the state government has instituted eco-development committees and organised regular nature and training camps as well as development of the habitat, leading to a gradual rise in the numbers of the lion population the census, conducted every five years, according to the statement.
According to the statement: 'The DBV technique, which has been in use for over three decades, provides almost a hundred percent accuracy and eliminates common errors in calculation and estimation.'
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The Hindu
24-05-2025
- The Hindu
Why is a growing lion population a worry as well?
The story so far: The Gujarat Forest Department this week released results from the 16th Lion Population Estimation, popularly referred to as the 'lion census.' This was the first such census since 2020. What are its key findings? India's wild lion population, all of which is concentrated in Gujarat, has risen by 32% from 2020-25, with 891 lions reported in the latest survey. The number of adult females — an indicator of future growth — rose 27% to 330 individuals. While the heart of the lion population continues to be Gir, the current population estimate includes new satellite populations. They have been spotted at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Jetpur and adjoining areas, Babra-Jasdan and adjoining areas, increasing the total number of Asiatic lions in satellite populations to 497 across nine such regions. The lion population has increased by 70.36% in the past decade (523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025), whereas the area of distribution has increased by 59.09%, the report noted. Amreli district reported the highest population of 339 lions. This was followed by the Gir-Somnath district region (222 lions) and Junagadh (191 lions). How has the spatial coverage of lions grown? From 1995 to 2001, the area where lions are present expanded from 10,000 sq. km to 12,000 sq km, marking a 20% increase. By 2005, it reached 13,000 sq. km, showing an 8.3% rise over the previous estimate. A more substantial expansion occurred between 2005 and 2010, with the area growing to 20,000 sq. km, an increase of 53.8%. In 2015, the spread rose further to 22,000 sq. km, a 10% increase. From 2015 to 2020, the range extended to 30,000 sq. km, reflecting a 36.4% growth. Finally, by 2025, the area reached 35,000 sq. km, registering a 16.67% increase over the 2020 figure. This progressive expansion demonstrates consistent range growth and is attributed to conservation efforts and natural lion dispersal. From 1990 to 2025, the area has grown about five-fold whereas the lion population has grown about three-fold. How are lions counted? The latest survey was undertaken from May 10-13, 2025. The estimation spanned approximately 35,000 sq km, covering 11 districts and 58 tehsils. The region was divided into 735 sampling units and each sampling unit had an enumerator and two assistants, ensuring thorough survey and data collection. 'Observations of direct sightings were recorded in the prescribed forms, including the characteristics of each individual. Digital cameras were used to capture photographs to aid individual identification. The cross-verification with adjacent sampling units, sub-zones, zones, and regions helped ensure accuracy and remove the duplication,' the report noted. To improve transparency and credibility, experts from various fields, members of the State board for wildlife, and individuals experienced in group dynamics and pride behaviour were invited as independent observers. The estimation exercise involved 3,254 people, the report noted. Can the lion population expand unabated? The growth in lion numbers, while a positive sign as far as conservation goes, has its own challenges. For one, the rise in lion presence in areas outside the core zone — a phenomenon observed since over a decade and a half now — is a worry. This means lions are present in places with human settlements, which may lead to more animal-human conflicts causing economic losses for those living in close proximity to the lions. It has been established over decades that lions are growing in Gujarat not only due to conservation efforts by the Gujarat government, such as ensuring adequate prey like wild boars, but also the 'tolerance' exhibited by resident communities like the pastoral Maldharis towards the animals. Over the years, they have shown that they are accustomed to lions preying on their cattle, though such losses are compensated for by the government. However, experts such as Y.V. Jhala, former Dean, Wildlife Institute of India, have said that while Gujarat can host up to 2,000 lions, it is critical that they live in pristine regions, with preferably no human presence. What are future plans for lion conservation? Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a 'Project Lion' conservation programme worth ₹2,927 crore. The first step under this is to develop the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary within Gujarat which already hosts a substantial population of 17 lions. Other plans include involving communities in tourism and creating greater incentives for conservation.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- The Hindu
Asiatic lion population in Gujarat goes up from 674 to 891 in 5 years, footprint expands too
The estimated population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat has increased to 891 from 674 five years ago as per the census conducted this month, officials said on Wednesday (May 21, 2025). "Not only the count went up by 217, but the animals were found outside the Gir National Park, their traditional habitat, and spread across 11 districts of Saurashtra including non-forested and coastal areas," the officials said. "Estimated population of Asiatic lions has increased to 891," Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel told reporters in Gandhinagar. As per the last census conducted in June 2020, the population of Asiatic lions, a subspecies only found in Gujarat's Gir area, was estimated at 674. As per the latest count, there are estimated 196 males, 330 females, 140 sub-adults and 225 cubs, said the Gujarat Forest Department. As the population of lions is increasing, their spread in Saurashtra region has also expanded. The big cats were earlier confined to the Gir National Park in Junagadh and Amreli districts, but now they have spread to 11 districts, an official said. "As many as 384 lions were counted in Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and 507 were found outside its limits," said Jaipal Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest. The areas outside Gir where lions were spotted included sanctuaries like Pania, Mitiyala, Girnar and Barda. Some animals were seen in non-forested areas and coastal areas too. Seventeen lions were counted in Barda sanctuary, 15 km from Porbandar. The highest number of lions recorded in a single pride was 17 in Bhavnagar district, officials said. The 16th Asiatic lion census, a four-day exercise, was conducted from May 10 to 13 in two phases, covering an area of 35,000 square kilometres across 58 talukas of 11 districts. While the preliminary census was conducted on May 10 and 11, the final count was held on May 12 and 13 with the help of 3,000 volunteers, including regional, zonal and sub-zonal officers, enumerators, assistant enumerators and inspectors, said a Forest Department release. The census was conducted through a more accurate method called 'direct beat verification', which provides 100% accuracy with almost zero margin of error due to statistical analysis and ease of implementation, said the release. A lion census is conducted every five years by the state Forest Department. Volunteers recorded details such as time of observation, direction of movement, sex, age, any other identifying marks on the body and GPS location among others. Hi-tech tools like camera traps and high resolution cameras and radio-collars were used for the identification of lions, the release said. The 11 districts where lions were spotted are Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Amreli, Porbandar and Botad.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Indian Express
How Gujarat counted its Asiatic lions: 35,000 square km, 11 districts, 300 people
The total population of Asiatic Lions, primarily found in the Gir Forests of Gujarat — the last abode of the species in the world — has been estimated at 891, as per the official figures of the 16th Lion Census announced by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday. The estimation, carried out by the Forest Department between May 10 and May 13, recorded a rise in the population of Asiatic Lions by 217. As per the census, there are 196 males, 330 females, 140 sub-adults, and 225 cubs. This was the first full-fledged Lion Census conducted by the Gujarat government since 2015, officials said. During the 15th lion estimation, the total population was 674, comprising 260 females, 161 males, 93 sub-adults, and 137 cubs. The census covered a 35,000 square km area spread across 11 districts of the Saurashtra region comprising Junagadh, Gir-Somnath, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Amreli, Porbandar, and Botad. The estimation was done using the Direct Beat Verification method that the Forest Department has been following for the past 30 years. Under the method, the entire area of exercise was divided into regions, zones, and sub-zones with the appointment of regional, zonal, sub-zonal officials, enumerators and assistant enumerators, supervisors, and volunteers. To maintain transparency in the exercise, members of the national and state wildlife boards, experts from different fields, and experts on lions and their behaviour were invited to join the forest officials. In all, over 3,000 people were part of the exercise. In 2020, the actual census exercise was not conducted owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, and hence the forest officials relied on lion sightings on full moon days, which was a regular exercise, and came up with the 15th Lion Census. According to Gujarat government records, the first lion census was conducted by the Nawab of Junagadh in 1936. In 1965, the Gir forest was declared a sanctuary, and since then, the Gujarat Forest Department has been regularly conducting lion censuses every five years. But due to various reasons, the 6th and 8th lion censuses were delayed by a year. The 11th lion census was due in 2000 but was deferred by a year due to heavy rain that year.
