Lion population in Gujarat goes up from 674 to 891 in 5 years; footprint expands too
'Estimated population of Asiatic lions has increased to 891,' Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel told reporters here.
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.
Gandhinagar, May 21 (PTI) 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.
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, official 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 percent 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.
PTI PD KRK
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
2 hours ago
- The Print
Padmanabhaswamy Temple performs rare ‘Maha Kumbhabhishekam' after 270 years
Dedication of 'thazhikakudams', (the three domes above the sanctum sanctorum), the reinstallation of the Vishwaksena idol, and the 'Ashtabandha Kalasam' at the Thiruvambady Sree Krishna Temple (located within the main shrine complex) were held in the morning, temple sources said. This grand consecration took place following the recent completion of long-overdue renovation work at this ancient temple. Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 1 (PTI) Hundreds of devotees on Sunday thronged the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala to witness Maha Kumbhabhishekam held at the shrine after 270 years. 'The rituals were performed by priests during the auspicious time between 7.40 am to 8.40 am on Sunday,' they said. The rituals began after Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma, the present head of the Travancore royal family, offered prayers at the shrine. In the presence of Varma and other royal family members, the tantri (head priest) first carried out the 'Ashtabandha Kalasam' at the Thiruvambady Temple. Later, the reinstallation of the Vishwaksena idol was held by 8.00 am, temple sources said. The Vishwaksena idol, renovated and reinstalled now, is about 300 years old and was built in 'katu sarkara yogam', a traditional method involving a unique combination of materials to create idols. After that reinstallation, the tantries and priests, accompanied by the royal family head, moved as a procession for the dedication of the domes as devotees chanted 'narayana' mantras. Temple authorities made elaborate arrangements including the setting up of video walls on all the four entrances of the shrine for devotees to catch a glimpse of the rare ritual. Long queues of devotees could be seen since early morning at the temple entrances. Kerala Governor Vishwanath Rajendra Arlekar was present at the shrine to witness the rare ritual throughout, they added. Various rituals, including Acharya Varanam, Prasada Shuddhi, Dhara, Kalasam, and others, were held at the shrine in various days in the last week ahead of the 'Maha Kumbhabhishekam'. Temple authorities said that the objective of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam is to reinforce spiritual energy and reawaken the sanctity of the shrine. Such a comprehensive renovation and the accompanying rituals were held at the centuries-old shrine after a gap of over 270 years, and it is unlikely to occur again in the next several decades, they said. The renovation had been carried out as per the directive of the Supreme Court-appointed expert panel in 2017. Though the work began soon after, it could not progress much further due to the COVID situation, they said. Later, various renovation works were completed in a phased manner from 2021 onwards, they added. The name of Kerala capital is closely tied to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, where Lord Vishnu is enshrined in a reclining posture on serpent God 'Anantha'. The city grew around this temple and took its name from the deity worshipped there. PTI LGK ADB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
India Today
8 hours ago
- India Today
How Eid al-Adha was celebrated across countries
On Eid al-Adha, Muslims across the world gathered at mosques to pray, and performed ritualistic sacrifices. There is a reason why sacrifice or qurbani forms an important part of Eid al-Adha or Eid Eid is marked in honour of Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to God's command. However, before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, God provided him a lamb to sacrifice each country, the festival took on a distinct tone, marked by rituals, traditions, and street scenes. Here's a story in pictures that reveals how the celebrations were different across countries. People participate in a special morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on June 6, to mark the start of the Eid al-Adha festival. (AFP Image) advertisement Fireworks light up the sky in the Qatari capital Doha during celebrations to mark the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha on June 6. (AFP Image) Emiratis exchange wishes after Eid al-Adha morning prayers at Dubai's main mosque. (AFP Image) People offer namaaz at Shahi Masjid inside the Taj Mahal complex, in Agra, on Saturday. (PTI Image) People in Srinagar shop at a market on the eve of Eid al-Adha. (PTI Image) People in Jaipur offer namaaz near the Idgah Mosque on Delhi-Jaipur Highway, in Rajasthan on Saturday. (PTI Image) People in Mumbai offer naamaz outside the Bandra Railway station on Saturday. (PTI Image) People offer namaaz at Kolkata's Indira Gandhi Sarani, formerly known as Red Road, in West Bengal, on Saturday. (PTI Image) Young women in Chennai pose for a selfie after offering naamaz on the occasion of Eid al-Adha in Tamil Nadu, on Saturday. (PTI Image) People in Maharashtra's Satara take part in a street procession on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. (PTI Image) Bangladeshis board a train at a railway station in Dhaka, as they travel to their hometowns to celebrate Eid al-Adha with their families. (AFP Image) Men in Lahore transport goats on motorbikes after buying them for sacrificing on Eid al-Adha. (AFP Image) Butchers tie the legs of camels before sacrifice during the Eid al-Adha in Pakistan's Peshawar on Saturday. (AFP Image) People in Lahore sacrifice animals during the celebrations of Eid al-Adha on Saturday. In several places across the subcontinent, the public sacrifice of animals creates a civic nightmare. (AFP Image)
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
Govt ultimatum to families yet to relocate from Sariska
1 2 Jaipur: The Sariska Tiger Reserve administration has served a final, 15-day ultimatum to several villages, resident of which did not vacate the forest area despite accepting compensation as part of a relocation package. Families who accepted the first and second instalments of the compensation package but continue to reside inside the reserve will now face legal action if they do not relocate within the stipulated period. The decision was taken during a meeting of the district implementation committee, chaired by Alwar district collector, who met at the office of Sariska's deputy conservator of forests earlier this week. "Relocation under the Sariska Tiger Project is voluntary, and compensation is provided only after written consent from affected families. However, 49 families from Haripura, Deori, and Karaska villages, along with some from Nathusar, have not shifted despite accepting compensation. Legal proceedings will be initiated if they fail to comply," an official said. To ensure minimal disruption to education of children from relocated families, the administration approved the construction of a new govt primary school in the Tijara Rundh area, with work set to begin soon. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Meanwhile, the transfer of surrendered private land to the Forest department was delayed due to technical issues in online data entry—particularly in Dabli village, where complete land surrender is still pending. The district collector directed officials to expedite the process. A source said that identifying suitable land for further relocation remains a challenge. While 10,000 hectares were earmarked in the Rajgarh area, much of it is rocky and unsuitable for habitation. Authorities are now exploring alternative sites in the Dangarwada and Givawada regions. Villages like Loj and Nathusar, now under the newly formed Kotputli-Behror district, will continue to be managed by the existing relocation committee. "As per state directives, priority in land allotment will be given to families displaced for over three years. Additionally, 368.5 hectares of forest land were approved for de-reservation and identified as a potential resettlement zone," the official added.
