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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.
India Today
21-05-2025
- General
- India Today
Population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat see over 32% rise, reveals 2025 census
The population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat rose from 674 to 891 as per the 2025 census, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said. The new figures mark a rise of 217 lions, or an increase by over 32% in their numbers, over five years following the last census conducted in 16th Asiatic lion census was conducted over four days from May 10 to 13, covering 35,000 square kilometres across 11 districts of Gujarat, PTI exercise was carried out in two phases. A preliminary survey took place on May 10 and 11, followed by the final population count on May 12 and 3,000 volunteers, including regional, zonal and sub-zonal officers, enumerators, assistant enumerators and inspectors, participated in the operation, according to an official census covered 58 talukas across the districts of Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Amreli, Porbandar and lions, a distinct sub-species, are found only in Gujarat's Gir National Park and the surrounding edition of the five-yearly lion census, first conducted in 1936, used closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance for the first time along with traditional direct sighting methods. The Direct Beat Verification (DBV) method, also known as the block count method and used since 2000, was also Watch
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.'
India Today
23-04-2025
- General
- India Today
Why Gujarat's Asiatic lion census is a big deal really
Gujarat's 16th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation, covering an expanse of 35,000 sq km across 58 talukas in 11 districts from May 10 to 13, comes at a critical juncture as the state's lion population continues to grow, bringing both triumphs in conservation and escalating challenges in human-wildlife coexistence. This edition of the five-yearly lion census first conducted in 1936 will integrate closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance for the first time with traditional direct sighting methods. The Direct Beat Verification (DBV) method, also known as the block count method and used since 2000, will be used, on the historical data of lion movements, the census area is divided into the basic counting units—beats inside the forests, and clusters of three to 10 villages outside. Approximately 3,000 trained volunteers, along with regional, zonal and sub-zonal officers, will be involved in the exercise. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), too, is expected to participate, leveraging its expertise in wildlife censuses. Details such as the direction of the lion's movement, gender, age, identification marks, GPS location and group composition will also be technology will be used to verify the findings, the primary data will be collected by the time-tested DBV method. Gujarat's forest department has claimed in a statement that the methodology ensures 100 per cent accuracy due to ease of statistical analysis and implementation. This method has been used in forests, grasslands, coastal areas and revenue lands for over three area to be studied is divided into regional, zonal and sub-zonal units. The volunteers include officers, enumerators, assistant enumerators and observers, who will be provided with designated forms and maps to record details such as observation time, movement direction, gender, age, identification marks, GPS location and group composition, the statement explained. Simultaneously, high-resolution cameras and camera traps will be used for individual lion identification. Some lions are fitted with radio collars to track their location and group movements. The e-GujForest app will facilitate real-time data entry, including GPS locations and photos. GIS software will be used to map survey areas, track lion movements, distribution patterns and habitat usage, the statement lion population has increased at a steady rate of 25-30 per cent every five years over the past three decades. In 2020, the population recorded a 28.87 per cent jump to 674 from 523 in 2015. Informal estimates based on anecdotal observations have indicated the population already hovers around 800 now. While the government's conservation efforts have resulted in a steady increase of the lion population, the fact that these species are wholly contained in the Saurashtra peninsula has presented several challenges that do not have a conclusive resolution. Lion habitat has been steadily reducing under pressure from the rising demand on land use for human habitation, farmland transportation and industrial infrastructure. The carrying capacity of the five wildlife sanctuaries in the region was exhausted 15 years ago. Interpreting data from the last census, the lion population outside forested areas grew by 97 per cent between 2015 and 2020, while there was a three per cent decline within forested the large carnivores spill out of the forests, stories of prides roaming the concrete streets in towns and villages, crossing high-speed highways and falling prey to speeding trains have been commonplace. The newly claimed territories lack the necessary prey base, resulting in further conflict with human habitations. Government data reveals that incidents of lions killing domestic animals in Gujarat's Gir forest have steadily increased, reaching a peak of 4,385 in 2023-24. This is despite an increase in prey animals in the Gir forest over the past six the rising challenges, the census is keenly expected to throw light through concrete data on where and how the Asiatic lions are expanding their territory. This will help shape development plans for the region and wildlife conservation strategies for years to come. Subscribe to India Today Magazine
