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Time of India
14-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
In Gujarat, lions are royalty. But what happens when there's no room for the Crown?
First, the good news. India's conservation efforts are working. The population of lions, tigers, leopards — even newly introduced African cheetahs — are on the rise. The bad news. There is just not enough room for all of them together, and humans. With the country's forest cover clocking in at just 21.7 % of total land, species are crossing paths. Lions are pacing Gujarat's village roads, leopards skirting the edges of urbania across the country, and cheetahs are struggling to adapt in Kuno , Madhya Pradesh . That results in a deeper question: Can these apex predators coexist, both with each other and the people living around them? This conundrum is best exemplified by the issues triggered by India's Asiatic lion population, which, according to data released two weeks ago, surged by a third in just the past five years. PRIDE OF THE PACK India's lion population was just 674 in 2020, which, as per the latest Lion Census , 2025, is now at 891. That's nearly triple their numbers in 2000. Similar growth has been seen for other cats too. These are predators, they need their space. Gujarat's lions, once clinging to survival, now face a different kind of risk — running out of room. 'As numbers rise rapidly, conflict with people can spike — especially when older or young males are pushed out. We must invest in conflict mitigation and healthy prey bases so lions and communities can coexist,' says Laura Bertola, Leo Foundation , who works towards the protection of lions in Africa and India. LIONS ON THE MOVE The growing lion population is already pushing into agricultural fields, plantations and village edges. They are being sighted in areas like Jetpur, Babra-Jasdan and Mityala, which now hosts 32 lions, double from 2020. 'Lions are not restricted to forests,' says conservationist Abi Vanak. 'They are using farmlands, plantations — wherever there is prey and shelter. These lions aren't afraid of humans. They will walk right through towns.' You'd think that they shouldn't have to care for state borders, yet, lions still remain boxed into Gujarat. 'Lions have steadily expanded across the Saurashtra peninsula, but are not yet close to the neighbouring states. At the current rate of expansion, however, this could only be a matter of time,' says Vanak. The worry now: How long will things stay that way? Gujarat is clearly getting crowded. THE KUNO CONUNDRUM Back in 1998, over 1,280 sq km was demarcated as the Kuno Wildlife Division , in Madhya Pradesh. The area was cleared of villages, livelihoods uprooted, and was stocked with wild prey — specifically for lions. In 2018, the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary (with roughly 350 sq km of area) was upgraded to national park status, with a total area of 748.76 sq km. The translocation of lions was part of a major conservation initiative with one clear goal: To establish a second, wild population of Asiatic lions outside of Gujarat. Wildlife biologists, along with the Wildlife Institute of India , recommended this step to reduce the species' extinction risk — a standard conservation practice to avoid single-population vulnerabilities. After an extensive site selection process, Kuno emerged as an additional area like Gir, thanks to its large contiguous forest cover, similar habitat and a strong prey base. But the lions were never moved into Kuno. The reasons are varied, with political resistance, inter-state dynamics, and bureaucratic delays, all playing a part. Years passed. In 2013, the Supreme Court ordered their translocation within six months. Even so, Gujarat, which looks at lions as a symbol of state pride, hasn't translocated them. It's now 2025, and Kuno still has no lions. 'This is no longer about science. It's about upholding the law. Everything else is just delay and distraction,' says Ravi Chellam, a long-time advocate for lion translocation. Meanwhile in Gujarat, a few lions have moved into Barda Wildlife Sanctuary and both the state and Union governments are claiming that it is the lions' second home. 'Barda is only 100 km from Gir, not far enough to isolate extinction risks. It's a positive step, but not a substitute for Kuno', says Chellam. 'In Gujarat, people are used to living with lions,' counters Vanak. 'If lions move to Madhya Pradesh or Maharashtra , the reaction could be very different.' It remains to be seen how many lions Barda can absorb. JUNGLE POLITICS The increasing numbers and the need for translocation creates another issue. Even if they are moved, lions entering new landscapes — especially where tigers, leopards, or cheetahs already exist — might bring forth co-existence challenges, at the landscape level. Instead of lions, Kuno now hosts African cheetahs, introduced to India in 2022. So, can lions even be translocated into Kuno anymore? Each of these big cats have unique habitat needs. Each reacts differently to humans. But all need one thing: Space. The counter to that is that they can coexist. 'Lions do kill cheetahs,' says YV Jhala, former dean, Wildlife Institute of India. 'But so do leopards and tigers. In fact, leopards are a far more formidable foe to cheetahs. Introducing lions into Kuno may help reduce leopard dominance.' PROBLEMATIC GENETICS Another problem lurking is that all Gir lions descend from a small number. 'Genetic diversity underpins adaptability — especially as climate change and new pathogens emerge. Creating satellite populations helps reduce catastrophic risk, but it won't fix inbreeding unless we introduce fresh genetic diversity from elsewhere,' says Bertola. Chellam acknowledges the issue. 'We know the genetic diversity is low. But so far, there's no strong evidence of compromised fertility or cub survival. Still, it's a red flag we must not ignore,' he says. CO-EXISTENCE OR COLLISION? Wait and watch is not an option. India's protected parks are divided by highways, farms and cities. In such a fragmented land, natural dispersal is slow and risky. That means translocation has to be enforced by humans. 'In historical times, lions entered India from Persia and could disperse across the Gangetic plains, Deccan and western India without any barriers. Today, this is not possible due to human land uses and barriers. Therefore, in the best interest of the Asiatic lions as a species, human-aided reintroductions based on the principles of Conservation Biology should be implemented,' says Jhala. As apex predators increase, so do human-wildlife conflicts. Conservation Biology reports a 10% rise in villages reporting livestock attacks, and a 15% annual increase in livestock kills. COEXISTENCE ISN'T IMPOSSIBLE 'Communities that have coexisted with lions adapt better. Others need time, education, and incentives to tolerate large carnivores, reckons Jhala. Eco-tourism, local conservation programmes and cross-state corridors could become critical, and policy has to keep pace with the population. That is the only way to preserve and protect all ways of life, wild and human.


India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Roaring successes to woven dreams: PM Modi celebrates India's blend of tradition, innovation
New Delhi [India], May 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wove together tales of tradition and innovation, triumph and wildlife, and cultural and personal transformation across India, painting a picture of resilience that fuels progress. During his 122nd episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Modi spoke about the soaring lion population in Gujarat's Gir to the innovative spirit of Sikkim's Dr Chewang Norbu Bhutia and Uttarakhand's resilient artist Jeevan Joshi. He began with a roar of pride, highlighting the significant rise in the lion population in Gujarat's Gir over the past five years, which increased from 674 to 891. PM Modi also praised Gujarat for becoming the first state in the country to appoint a large number of women as Forest Officers. 'In the last five years only, the population of lions in Gir, Gujarat, has increased from 674 to 891. This number of lions revealed after the Lion Census is very encouraging. Gujarat became the first state where women were appointed on a large scale to the post of Forest Officers. All of these have contributed to the results we are seeing today. We will have to always remain vigilant and alert like this for Wild Life Protection. A great example of how tradition and innovation can come together!' the Prime Minister stated. Shifting to the Northeast, PM Modi highlighted a tapestry of cultural and economic revival, sharing the success story of Crafted Fibres, a unique social enterprise from Sikkim, started by Dr Chewang Norbu Bhutia. He noted that Crafted Fibres is not just a brand but a blend of tradition, weaving art, and modern fashion, stating that Dr Bhutia, who is a veterinary doctor, aimed to give a new dimension to weaving by connecting traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion. 'The North East is something else altogether; its potential and talent are truly amazing. I have come to know an interesting story of Crafted Fibres. Crafted Fibres is not just a brand; it is a beautiful amalgamation of Sikkim's tradition, the art of weaving and today's fashion thinking. It was started by Dr. Chewang Norbu Bhutia. He is a Veterinary Doctor by profession and a true Brand Ambassador of Sikkim's culture by heart,' the PM said. 'He thought, why not give a new dimension to weaving?' And from this thought, Crafted Fibres was born. He connected traditional weaving with modern fashion and made it a social enterprise. Now he doesn't just make clothes; he weaves lives. He gives skill training to local people, making them self-reliant. By connecting village weavers, cattle rearers and self-help groups, Dr Bhutia has created new avenues of employment,' he added. Modi then turned to Uttarakhand, where resilience meets creativity, by sharing the story of Jeevan Joshi, a 65-year-old artist from Haldwani who turns dry pine tree bark into beautiful works of art, creating a unique craft called 'Baget'. Despite being affected by polio in childhood, which weakened his legs, Jeevan never gave up as he channelled his imagination into his artwork. His creations often depict folk instruments and reflect the soul of the mountains. 'Today I want to tell you about a wonderful person who is an artist and a living inspiration. His name is Jeevan Joshi, age 65 years. Now imagine how full of life he must be, whose name itself has Jeevan in it. Jeevan Ji lives in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. In childhood, polio took away the strength of his legs, but it could not take away his courage. Even though his walking speed slowed down, his mind kept flying on every flight of imagination. In this flight, Jeevan Ji gave birth to a unique art and named it 'Baget'. In this, he makes beautiful artworks from the dry bark that falls from pine trees. The bark, which people generally consider useless, becomes a heritage as soon as it comes into Jeevan Ji's hands. There is the fragrance of the soil of Uttarakhand in each of his creations. Sometimes it is the folk instruments of the mountains, and sometimes it seems as if the soul of the mountains has entered that wood,' PM Modi stated. PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' resonates with the roars of Gir's lions, the threads of Sikkim's weavers, and the artistic whispers of Uttarakhand's mountains, showing how India's progress is driven by the strength of its people and the blending of tradition with innovation. (ANI)


India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
People who do not get recognition, get platform through Mann Ki Baat: Himachal LoP Jairam Thakur
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 25 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' and said that the people who do not get recognition even after working in the society, such people get a platform through the Mann Ki Baat. Jairam Thakur said, 'This is a very historic initiative and the country and the world are watching this Mann Ki Baat program continuously without any break, without any interruption. We all watch Mann Ki Baat with great enthusiasm and wait for it. There are many people who do not get recognition even after working in the society. Such people get a platform through the Mann Ki Baat program. The biggest thing is that there is no mention of politics and people associated with politics in this program. Thanks to the Prime Minister for this program.' During his 122nd episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Modi spoke about the soaring lion population in Gujarat's Gir to the innovative spirit of Sikkim's Dr Chewang Norbu Bhutia and Uttarakhand's resilient artist Jeevan Joshi. He began with a roar of pride, highlighting the significant rise in the lion population in Gujarat's Gir over the past five years, which increased from 674 to 891. PM Modi also praised Gujarat for becoming the first state in the country to appoint a large number of women as Forest Officers. 'In the last five years only, the population of lions in Gir, Gujarat, has increased from 674 to 891. This number of lions revealed after the Lion Census is very encouraging. Gujarat became the first state where women were appointed on a large scale to the post of Forest Officers. All of these have contributed to the results we are seeing today. We will have to always remain vigilant and alert like this for Wild Life Protection. A great example of how tradition and innovation can come together!' the Prime Minister stated. Shifting to the Northeast, PM Modi highlighted a tapestry of cultural and economic revival, sharing the success story of Crafted Fibres, a unique social enterprise from Sikkim, started by Dr Chewang Norbu Bhutia. He noted that Crafted Fibres is not just a brand but a blend of tradition, weaving art, and modern fashion, stating that Dr Bhutia, who is a veterinary doctor, aimed to give a new dimension to weaving by connecting traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion. 'The North East is something else altogether; its potential and talent are truly amazing. I have come to know an interesting story of Crafted Fibres. Crafted Fibres is not just a brand; it is a beautiful amalgamation of Sikkim's tradition, the art of weaving and today's fashion thinking. It was started by Dr. Chewang Norbu Bhutia. He is a Veterinary Doctor by profession and a true Brand Ambassador of Sikkim's culture by heart,' the PM said. 'He thought, why not give a new dimension to weaving?' And from this thought, Crafted Fibres was born. He connected traditional weaving with modern fashion and made it a social enterprise. Now he doesn't just make clothes; he weaves lives. He gives skill training to local people, making them self-reliant. By connecting village weavers, cattle rearers and self-help groups, Dr Bhutia has created new avenues of employment,' he added. PM Modi then turned to Uttarakhand, where resilience meets creativity, by sharing the story of Jeevan Joshi, a 65-year-old artist from Haldwani who turns dry pine tree bark into beautiful works of art, creating a unique craft called 'Baget'. Despite being affected by polio in childhood, which weakened his legs, Jeevan never gave up as he channelled his imagination into his artwork. His creations often depict folk instruments and reflect the soul of the mountains. 'Today I want to tell you about a wonderful person who is an artist and a living inspiration. His name is Jeevan Joshi, age 65 years. Now imagine how full of life he must be, whose name itself has Jeevan in it. Jeevan Ji lives in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. In childhood, polio took away the strength of his legs, but it could not take away his courage. Even though his walking speed slowed down, his mind kept flying on every flight of imagination. In this flight, Jeevan Ji gave birth to a unique art and named it 'Baget'. In this, he makes beautiful artworks from the dry bark that falls from pine trees. The bark, which people generally consider useless, becomes a heritage as soon as it comes into Jeevan Ji's hands. There is the fragrance of the soil of Uttarakhand in each of his creations. Sometimes it is the folk instruments of the mountains, and sometimes it seems as if the soul of the mountains has entered that wood,' PM Modi stated (ANI)


Hans India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi credits community-led conservation for rise in lion numbers in Gir
New Delhi: Addressing the nation in his monthly Mann Ki Baat programme on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a heartening update on India's wildlife conservation efforts, announcing a significant rise in the population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat's Gir forest. "In just the last five years, the population of lions in Gir, Gujarat, has increased from 674 to 891. The number of lions that emerged after the lion census is very encouraging," the Prime Minister said. He elaborated on the challenging and meticulous process behind the lion census. "Many of you must be wondering how this animal census is conducted! This exercise is very challenging. You will be surprised to know that the Lion Census was conducted in 11 districts, in an area of 35 thousand square kilometres." "For the census, the teams monitored these areas round the clock… twenty-four hours. Both verification and cross-verification were done in this entire campaign. This enabled the counting of lions to be completed with utmost precision," he explained. Highlighting the community's role, PM Modi said the success of conservation reflected the power of collective responsibility. "The rise in the population of the Asiatic Lion shows that when the sense of ownership strengthens in society, amazing results happen. A few decades ago, the situation in Gir was very challenging. But the people there came together to bring about a change," the Prime Minister said. He also pointed to policy and technological reforms that played a key role. "Along with the latest technology, global best practices were also adopted there. During this time, Gujarat became the first state where women were appointed as forest officers on a large scale. All these have contributed to the results we are seeing today. We will have to remain vigilant and alert like this for wildlife protection," PM Modi added.


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.