Forest Department to start Asiatic Lion census from today
The Gujarat Forest Department will begin the 16th Asiatic Lion census, to be held in two phases, on Saturday, according to a government statement. 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 statement.
The first phase of the census will be undertaken on Saturday and Sunday and the final phase on May 12 and 13, in 58 talukas in the districts of Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Amreli, Porbandar and Botad, according to the statement.
The area will be surveyed with the 'Direct Beat Verification' method. 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.
The lion census was first held in 1936 with a recorded number of 287 lions as per the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Gujarat, Dr AP Singh. In 1995, 304 lions were reported while in 2001 and 2005, the number went up to 327 and 359. The count in 2015 — the last census — was 523 lions. The scheduled census in 2020 was not carried out due to the outbreak of the Covid19 virus but an estimated population of 674 was authenticated using the 'Poonam Avlokan' (full moon observation) method.
According to the release: '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.'
'The method is meant to be particularly effective in diverse terrains such as forests, grasslands, coastal areas, and revenue lands… During the census, the entire region will be divided into sectional units — regions, zones, and sub-zones — having a team each to record field observations in a systematic format including lion sightings, direction of movement, age, sex, and group dynamics.'
Modern technology will be incorporated into the lion census beginning Saturday, said sources. This includes high-resolution cameras, camera traps, radio collars for real time tracking, e-GujForest mobile app for on-site GPS-based data entry as well as the GIS software to create detailed habitat and movement maps.
The government statement said, 'Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and guidance of Forest Minister Mulu Bera and State Minister Mukesh Patel, the Forest Department has intensified its conservation and habitat expansion efforts, thereby seeing the gradual increase in the numbers… The Asiatic lion is not only Gujarat's pride but a symbol of India's rich wildlife heritage. The lion is prominently featured in the 'Make in India' campaign logo… The state has also initiated the development of Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as an alternative lion habitat.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
World Environment Day celebrated in Dindigul, Theni
A slew of activities were held in Dindigul and Theni districts on account of World Environment Day on Thursday. In Dindigul district, Food and Civil Supplies Minister R. Sakkarapani planted saplings at Kulanthai Velappar Temple in Oddanchatram. Dindigul Collector S. Saravanan was present during the occasion. The saplings were planted along the Girivalam path of the temple. The Minister also participated in an awareness programme against the use of plastic items. Various activities were also held at the Collectorate in Dindigul. In Theni district, Forest Department officials conducted various competitions at Andipatti Government Boys Higher Secondary School. Essay, painting and quiz competitions were conducted on environmental protection and certificates and prizes were given to the winning students. During the event, the students also held placards with the slogan Beat Plastic Pollution.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
1.39 lakh trees cut under Mangaluru Forest Division in last one year, says DCF
: Dakshina Kannada Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Anthony S. Mariappa said here on Thursday that 1.39 lakh trees were cut under Mangaluru Forest Division in the last one year for various projects and purposes. Speaking at the launch of citizen-driven greening initiative titled 'Amara', aimed at planting at least 10,000 tree saplings across the city this monsoon, at the Praja Soudha in Padil, the DCF said that many trees were cut for widening the National Highway 75 between B.C. Road and Adda Hole. The trees on about 100 acres were cut for the project, he said. Mr. Mariappa said that the Forest Department will distribute 1.03 lakh saplings for people for planting in this rainy season. In addition, the department will plant 4.17 lakh saplings under the division at various locations. The DCF said that tree-cutting and planting saplings is a continuous process and will have to go together to maintain balance. Some trees will have to be cut for taking up development projects. At the same time saplings will have to be planted. Otherwise temperate will go up and soil will lose its moisture. Meanwhile, 'Amara' is an initiative mooted jointly by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), Dakshina Kannada district administration, and Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL) in collaboration with the Forest Department, ward committees, and citizen groups, to plant saplings in 60 wards of the city. Smitha Hegde, a co-ordinator of the 'Amara' and principal, CFAL Pre-University College, said that 4,500 locations have been identified under the jurisdiction of MCC for planting at least 10,000 saplings before this August. Tree saplings will be planted on the premises of a crematorium at Katipalla, at Bengre on the airport road from Bejai to the airport, at Shivabagh, at Balmatta, Kankanady among the locations identified. All the saplings will be geo tagged. She said that 10 organisations have adopted some road stretches for planting. The Deputy Commissioner in charge K. Anandh and others planted some saplings in the premises of Praja Soudha, which is a complex of government offices, on the occasion. The saplings were planted on the World Environment Day.
The Print
4 hours ago
- The Print
Uttarakhand CM plants sapling on World Environment Day
The chief minister also honoured people and institutions doing commendable work in the field of environment protection at a programme held later at Mukhya Sevak Sadan. This campaign is dedicated simultaneously to expression of respect towards mothers and environmental protection, he said on the occasion. Dehradun, Jun 5 (PTI) Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday planted a sapling at his official residence on the occasion of World Environment Day, according to a statement. Municipal Corporation Rudrapur was honored with the Sunder Lal Bahuguna Nature and Environment Conservation Award-2025 (Government Category). Deputy Municipal Commissioner Shipra Joshi from Municipal Corporation Rudrapur received the award. Vijay Jaddhari and Pratap Singh Pokhriyal were honored with the Sunder Lal Bahuguna Nature and Environment Conservation Award-2025 (Non-Government Category). Dhami also administered the oath of plastic-free Uttarakhand and provided cloth bags to school children. Dhami directed the Forest Department to plant at least one thousand fruit trees in every forest division of the state this year so that wild animals can get adequate food. He urged the people of the state and pilgrims visiting the state not to feed animals things that are harmful to their health. He called upon the residents to plant trees on birthdays, wedding anniversaries and other important occasions. 'Only with such efforts will we be able to promote environmental conservation,' he said. PTI ALM HIG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
