Latest news with #ProjectLion
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Indian Express
Gujarat Confidential: Global ‘Pride'
The population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat has reached a record high of 891. The figure was announced Wednesday by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel while releasing the findings of 16th Lion Population Estimation conducted by the Forest Department earlier this month. Interestingly, the figure 891 was echoed in a post on X by Director General of Police Vikas Sahay Thursday. The DGP posted pictures of his visit to Gir after completion of the estimation survey with sightings of five lions. He wrote, '5 out of the 891. Had the privilege of being amongst them soon after the 16th survey was completed. Project Lion is a matter of global pride, pun intended.'
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
The next stage in protecting Asiatic lions
In an era of fast-eroding biodiversity, the rise of the Asiatic lion population by a third is certainly heartening. Gujarat, the lone state playing home to the animal, saw numbers rise from 674 (2020) to 891. This rapid rise, of course, can be attributed to Project Lion, which was launched by the Union government in 2020, and focused on habitat restoration, prey-base enhancement, and mitigating human-animal conflict. But, the fact that, of the 891 Asiatic lions in India, only 384 were resident in protected areas while 507 lived outside, in revenue areas and lion corridors, underscores the skewed impact of conservation efforts. Given research pegs the natural home ranges of Asiatic lion prides and individual animals (solitary males) at anywhere between 15 to over 400 sq kms, the existing protected habitat can't sustain such a large population — a fallout of which is animals straying into human habitats. Relocating a chunk of the population to protected areas elsewhere has become a conservation imperative. Though this has been discussed for about five decades, the Gujarat state government has steadfastly resisted the idea. In 2020, Project Lion identified six other protected areas in the country, in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and elsewhere in Gujarat (the Gir National Park is the primary protected habitat at present) for lion relocation. Doing this is essential to create a balance between natural prey availability, avoiding territorial clashes, and reducing the chances of conflict with humans.
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Asiatic lion count in India sees sharp rise, reaches 891: Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav
New Delhi [India], May 22 (ANI): Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav celebrated the significant rise in India's lion population, which he said has increased to 891 from 674 in 2020, describing it as a 'landmark success' in wildlife conservation. In a post on X, Yadav credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, both as Gujarat Chief Minister and Indian Prime Minister, for prioritising Project Lion and driving this achievement. He also congratulated forest officials, wildlife lovers, and environment enthusiasts for their role in this success. He urged everyone to continue working toward a 'Viksit Bharat where humans prosper along with wildlife.' 'It is really heartening to note that the number of lions in India has risen to 891 from 674 in 2020. This astounding success of conservation has been achieved due to the concerted efforts of PM Shri @narendramodi ji, who first as Gujarat CM, and then as Indian PM, made Project Lion a priority area of action,' the Union Environment Minister said. 'I congratulate each and every individual from forest officials, wildlife lovers to environment enthusiasts for this success. Let us keep working to ensure Viksit Bharat is one where humans prosper along with wildlife,' he said, emphasizing the collective commitment needed to sustain and build upon this achievement. Building on this shared vision, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision and consistent support towards wildlife conservation. He said,'Respected Prime Minister, my heartfelt gratitude to you for your vision and continued encouragement to protect the Asiatic lion and other wildlife. The efforts being made to protect wildlife in Gujarat under your guidance have generated unprecedented awareness among local people and tourists alike about lion conservation. 'Project Lion' has become the cornerstone in creating an ecosystem for the conservation and promotion of lions. Gujarat is committed to work with full energy with the central government to carry these efforts forward uninterruptedly.' Patel also appreciated the commitment shown by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and thanked all those involved in making Project Lion a success on the ground. Responding to CM Bhupendra Patel's post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his reaction on X, saying: 'Very exciting information! It brings me immense happiness to see that under 'Project Lion', the efforts being undertaken are not only providing a suitable environment for lions in Gujarat but also ensuring their protection.' The Union Environment Ministry has approved Project Lion with a budget of Rs 2,927.71 crore for Asiatic Lion conservation. Project Lion stands as a transformative initiative dedicated to the conservation and expansion of the Asiatic lion population, ensuring their long-term survival through strategic habitat management and community participation. It encompasses a wide range of strategies, including habitat and population management, wildlife health, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, local community participation, tourism development, scientific research, training, eco-development, and biodiversity conservation. To strengthen lion conservation, 237 beat guards (162 men, 75 women) were recruited in 2024. They patrol protected areas, prevent conflicts, and safeguard lion habitats. 92 rescue vehicles have been deployed for swift wildlife emergency response, rescue of wild animals and ensuring timely medical care and to reduce human-wildlife conflict, 11,000 machans have been built, helping farmers protect crops while ensuring safety and coexistence with lions. A key safety measure is the construction of parapet walls around 55,108 open wells to prevent wildlife falls, reduce fatalities, and protect animals and water sources. The launch of Project Lion marks a historic moment in India's conservation journey. With Gujarat leading the way, the initiative will ensure the long-term survival and well-being of Asiatic lions, solidifying India's position as a global leader in wildlife conservation. (ANI)
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
PM Modi lauds rise in Asiatic lion population in Gujarat
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, on Wednesday, released the figures of the 16th Lion Population Estimation, according to which the population of Asiatic lions has recorded an increase of around 32% compared to the 15th lion census, conducted in 2020. The population of Asiatic lions has increased to 891 from 674 in 2020. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed happiness at the rise in the population of lions in Gujarat. The Prime Minister was reacting to Chief Minister Patel's post on X. Modi said, 'It is very encouraging information. It is heartening to note that the efforts under 'Project Lion' are providing them (lions) a conducive environment and ensuring their protection.'
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
India's lion population logged 32.2% surge in last 5 years
Gandhinagar Gujarat's latest lion census shows that the western state has 891 Asiatic lions, across approximately 35,000 sq km of lion landscape, a 32.2% increase over the 674 lions counted in 2020. Of the 891, 384 reside in the forest and sanctuary areas and 507, outside in the revenue area and coastal and lion corridors, said AP Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forests. The corresponding numbers in 2020 were 334 and 340. The growing presence of lions outside so-called protected areas is also evident in the increase in their range -- by almost 60% since 2015, when there were 523 tigers/lions. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the results of the census on Wednesday. The 16th lion population estimation was announced during the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife at Sasan-Gir on March 3, chaired by the Prime Minister of India. The census, carried out from May 10 to 13, spanned 58 talukas across 11 districts, including Junagadh, Amreli, and Bhavnagar. Amreli district has the highest population of lions at 257. CM Patel credited the success to Gujarat's sustained conservation efforts, particularly the ₹2,927 crore Project Lion, launched in 2020. This initiative focuses on habitat restoration, prey-base enhancement, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict. The population in Gir National Park and Gir and Pania Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining areas serves as the cource or core population; but the lions have dispersed and established distinct satellite populations. During previous population estimations, seven of these satellite populations Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary, Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, the southwestern and southeastern coastal regions, Savarkundla-Liliya and its adjoining areas in Amreli, Bhavnagar Mainland, and Bhavnagar Coast—were recorded. The latest estimation highlighted three new satellite populations including Barda Wildlife Sanctuary. Of the total population, 55.78% were found in forested areas, while the remaining 44.22% were located in non-forested areas, as per the census data. Unlike the tiger census done once every four years and carried out over a period of two years, the lion census, done once in five years, is completed in just three days. 'The tiger census mainly relies on the pug marks methodology as compared to Asiatic lion census that is done through direct beat verification. Our lion census methodology is more scientific,' said Jaipal Singh, PCCF-Wildlife, Gujarat forest department. He added that the beat verification methodology consistently proven to be statistically robust and operationally practical, especially when implemented in the diverse Asiatic Lion Landscape. 'I'm delighted to see the lion population grow from 284 in 1990 to 891 today, a nearly threefold increase, with their range expanding from 6,600 to 35,000 square kilometers, an over fivefold increase. It's a remarkable achievement, and I commend the government and forest department for it. However, the protected areas haven't expanded and have already exceeded their carrying capacity, forcing lions to spill out. This is not a good thing. To ensure the safety of wildlife, we must create more reserved forests and sanctuaries,' said renowned conservationist MK Ranjitsinh. YV Jhala, a leading wildlife biologist and an expert on lions, said that the growing population, particularly in human-populated areas, wonderfully demonstrates coexistence, reflecting how people have learned to live alongside these majestic cats. 'Lions must stay wild, independent of livestock subsidies, to preserve their natural evolutionary traits. It's our moral duty to ensure they thrive as nature intended, feeding on wild prey and devoid of people and cattle.'
