22-Dec-2022: Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal” to secure and restore lions’ habitats

The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, today said that the Project Lion document titled “Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal” has been prepared with the following objectives to secure & restore lions’ habitats for managing its growing population; scale up livelihood generation and participation of local communities; become a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment and create inclusive biodiversity conservation through project lion initiative.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Choubey said that Project Lion envisages landscape ecology based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating conservation and eco-development. The Project is being implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat which is the last home of the Asiatic lion.

The Minister further informed that Project Tiger is being implemented in tiger landscapes spread across the country in 53 tiger reserves. Both projects envisage activities which ensure overall conservation of the entire ecosystem inhabited by these flagship species.

The written reply stated that Project Lion is being implemented by the State Government of Gujarat and other stakeholders like Central Zoo Authority. Financial assistance of Rs. 124.58lakhs have been provided to State of Gujarat for conservation of wildlife including Asiatic Lions under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)- ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ during last three years. Further, revalidation of Rs 1641.42 lakhs of grants released during 2018-19 under the Asiatic Lion Conservation project has also been done during the period. The State Government of Gujarat has submitted the Utilization Certificate for the funds released as Central share under Asiatic Lion Conservation project.

10-Jun-2020: PM expresses happiness over increasing population of the majestic Asiatic Lion

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed his happiness over the increasing population of the majestic Asiatic Lion, living in Gujarat’s Gir Forest.

Population of the majestic Asiatic Lion, living in Gujarat’s Gir Forest, is up by almost 29%. Geographically, distribution area is up by 36%.

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.

12-May-2019: Genome of Asiatic lion has been sequenced

For the first time, the entire genome of Asiatic lion has been sequenced by scientists from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad.

The genome sequencing would enable scientists in better understanding the evolution of Asiatic lions, to develop specific markers to study population genetics (the differences at the gene level within a population) and get newer insights into its population status and subsequent management.

With the complete genome of royal Bengal tiger, African Cheetah and Jaguar available, comparative studies of all these big cats would be possible.

Only partial genomic information of the African lion was available now. Comparative genomics between African and Asiatic lions could be undertaken once the complete genome of the African lion is sequenced.

8-Feb-2019: 'Asiatic Lion Conservation Project’ launched by Government.

A dedicated “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project” with a budgetary contribution of Rs 97.85 Cr from Central Government was launched. With a view to strengthen the conservation initiatives, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change(MoEFCC) approved the project for three financial years FY 2018-19, FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21. The Asiatic Lion. endemic to Gir landscape of Gujarat, is one of the 21 critically endangered species identified by the Ministry for taking up recovery programmes.  Asiatic Lion, being listed in Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to be accorded the highest degree of protection.

Union Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that the project envisages a scientific management with involvement of communities in coordination with multi-sectoral agencies for disease control and veterinary care for overall conservation of Lion. Dr. Harsh Vardhan handed over the sanction for an amount of Rs. 17.03 Crores to the Gujarat Minister of State for Forest and Tribal Development Shri. Ramanlal Nanubhai Patkar for implementation of activities during first year of the project. Expressing happiness on the collaboration, the Gujarat minister said that there are about 700 lions presently in the Gir Forest and they are increasing in number.

Speaking on the occasion, the Additional Chief Secretary of Gujarat Shri Rajiv Kumar Gupta said that in all with the contribution of the State Govt, about 300 crore rupees will be spent including 80 crore rupees for a hospital and ambulances for lions. 

This project has “Species Conservation over a large landscape” approach. Besides this approach, the Greater Gir Region(GGR) is being divided into various zones and management approach of “Zone Plans and Theme Plans” for the conservation of the Asiatic Lion. “Zone Plans” include the Core Zone, the Sanctuary Zone, the buffer Zone i.e.  proposed for notification as the Eco-fragile/eco-sensitive Zone and the Greater Gir Region outside the Gir PA system for people’s participation and eco-development. Theme Plans include Habitat improvement, protection, wildlife health service, addressing to man-wild animal conflict issues, eco-development and voluntary relocation of PA resident people, research and monitoring, awareness generation, and ecotourism. This project would, therefore, be beneficial in further strengthening the conservation and protection of Asiatic Lion in the country.

Modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is proposed in the conservation, protection and development efforts of the Greater Gir Region. Additional ICT will include the following:

1. GPS Based Tracking
2. Surveillance Tracking
3. Animal Tracking
4. Vehicle Tracking
5. Automated Sensor Grid
6. Magnetic Sensors
7. Movement Sensors
8. Infra-red heat sensors
9. Night vision capability enhancement
10. GIS based real time monitoring, analysis and report generation.

In the recent past also, many initiatives for consolidating the conservation of Asiatic Lions have been taken. These include:

1. The concept of Greater Gir has been adopted through which additional suitable habitat for lion is being developed for the habitation of lion.
2. Besides Gir National Park & Sanctuary, Girnar, Pania and Mitiyala have been notified as sanctuaries to widen the protected area network and home of lion.
3. Habitat improvement measures have been undertaken.
4. Additional water points are being established and the existing water points are being maintained.
5. Protection mechanism has been strengthened with creation of Wildlife Crime Cell at state level and Task Force for the GGR(Greater Gir region).
6. Open wells are being covered with parapet walls to prevent death of wild animals due to fall in the well.
7. Intelligence gathering system has been strengthened.