Latest news with #AsiaticLions
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Lion population grows to 891 in Gujarat
In a happy news for the Asiatic lion enthusiasts, the population of lions in Gujarat have grown from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025. The recently concluded 16th line census included 196 males, 330 females, and a significant number of cubs and sub-adults, which came as a major the success for the ongoing conservation initiatives. The details of the lion census was shared by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel here on Wednesday. For the records, conducted between May 10–13, the latest lion census covered 35,000 sq. km across 11 districts and 58 talukas, utilizing the Block Count (Direct Beat Verification) method. A total of 3,854 individuals, including forest staff, local sarpanches, villagers, and community leaders, actively participated in this large-scale wildlife monitoring effort. The process entailed extensive technological support, that rendered more accuracy and precision. According to the state government, apart from usual digital cameras, camera traps, and radio collars, e-GujForest mobile app allowed real-time entry of lion sightings, complete with GPS coordinates and photos, making data collection faster and more precise. To better understand lion habitats and how the animals are spreading across regions, officials used GIS mapping tools. In addition, AI-powered software helped identify individual lions from the images, adding another layer of accuracy to the process. It may be mentioned here that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been taking keen interest in lion conservation since he was the Chief Minister of the state. In march this year while announcing the 16th lion census, Modi had announced that lion conservation in Barda will be supported through prey augmentation and other habitat improvement efforts since the Asiatic Lions have now made Barda Wildlife Sanctuary their home through natural dispersal. Steady Growth of Lion Population over Two Decades 2001: 327 lions 2005: 359 2010: 411 2015: 523 2020: 674 2025: 891
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- General
- 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.
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Indian Express
From Asiatic lion to pygmy hog, 10 unique Indian animal species found nowhere else on Earth
India's rich biodiversity is, undoubtedly, one of its greatest natural treasures. From majestic big cats to elusive amphibians, the country is home to an array of species, some of which exist nowhere else on Earth. Here are 10 extraordinary species found only in India, and where you can spot them: Gir National Park in Gujarat is home to Asiatic Lions. Different from their African counterparts, these big cats come with a larger tuft tail, folded skin on the abdomen and thinner curls on their head. Found only in Manipur's Keibul Lamjao National Park, they are also known as 'dancing deers' owing to their habit of jumping through floating grassland habitats (phumdi). Also known as Nilgir Sholakilis, this stunning songbird is found in Shola forests of the Western Ghats and the hills of Southern India. It boasts of bright blue plumage, white belly feathers, and a black tail with an orange tip. Spotted in Dachigam National Park in Kashmir and sometimes in the northern Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, this subspecies of red deer is also known as Hangul. A visit to Manas National Park of Assam will get you closer to the world's smallest and rarest wild pig. With a population less than 250, these creatures thrive in wet grasslands and are capable of building their own homes with a roof from scratch. Also known as Nilgir Sholakilis, this stunning songbird found in Shola forests of the Western Ghats and the hills of Southern India, boasts of bright blue plumage, white belly feathers, and a black tail with an orange tip. With a population of 3750 today, they are found in parts of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar. This animal features a dark coat and sturdy build, thriving in dense forests of the Andaman Islands. Having adapted to the island life, it sustains itself on roots, fruits and small invertebrates found in the tropical region. The Purple Frog has a bloated body, small head, and pointed snout. What makes it stand out from the rest is its retro purple hue. A resident of the Western Ghats, this amphibian spends most of its life underground, surfacing only for a few days during monsoon to breed. Native to the Nicobar Islands, this ground-dwelling bird is known for its unique nesting behaviour. Instead of incubating eggs with body heat, it buries them in warm sand or decomposing vegetation to hatch.
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
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.'
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
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.'
