Gir lions population up by 29% in 5 years, PM Modi congratulates people of Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his happiness over the increasing population of the majestic Asiatic Lion in Gujarat’s Gir Forest as the population of wild beast has grown to 674, 29% up from its 2015 count.

Sharing the report of Gujarat government, the Prime Minister said in a tweet, "Two very good news: Population of the majestic Asiatic Lion, living in Gujarat’s Gir Forest, is up by almost 29%. Geographically, distribution area is up by 36%."

Kudos to the people of Gujarat and all those whose efforts have led to this excellent feat, he said.

In another tweet, he said, "Over the last several years, the Lion population in Gujarat has been steadily rising. This is powered by community participation, emphasis on technology, wildlife healthcare, proper habitat management and steps to minimise human-lion conflict. Hope this positive trend continues!"

The report by the Forest and Environment Departement of Gujarat government said that the population of Asiatic Lions has shown a steady increase with the number rising to 674 individuals with an increase rate of 28.87% (one of the highest growth rate so far) from the previous growth of 27% during 2015 (523 lions).

The distribution of the lions has increased from an area of 22,000 sq. km in 2015 to 30,000 sq. km in 2020, thus increasing the distribution area by 36%.

"There has been a consistent increase in the population and distribution area of Asiatic Lions mainly owing to the effective conservation and management by the Gujarat Forest Department," the report said, adding that multiple strategies and interventions have been implemented in the Asiatic Lion landscape that have majorly contributed to the current conservation success of the Asiatic lions.

People’s participation, use of modern technology, wildlife health care including as import of CDV vaccine, habitat management, increase in prey base and human-lion conflict mitigation have led to the rise in population.

Asiatic lions are present in Protected Areas and agro-pastoral landscape of Saurashtra covering nine districts in a sprawling expanse of over 30000 sq. km whichis termed as the Asiatic Lion Landscape.

The population estimation of Asiatic Lions is conducted at an interval of five years. The last population estimation exercise was conducted in May 2015 which pegged the lion numbers at 523, a 27% increase from the estimation of 2010.

The 15th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation was scheduled during 05-06 June, 2020, but owing to the present COVID-19 situation, it was not conducted as planned, the Gujarat forest department said.