IN NEWS: Asiatic Lion Conservation in India
(For UPSC/BPSC | Environment & Ecology | Current Affairs)
Why in News?
India has witnessed a significant rise in the Asiatic lion population, alongside concerns over habitat quality, mortality causes, and long-term conservation, prompting the Government of India to launch Project Lion and drawing global attention through the IUCN Green Status assessment.
Key Facts & Developments
1. Asiatic Lion Mortality (Last 5 Years)
- 669 Asiatic lions died in the last five years.
- Government clarified in Rajya Sabha that none of these deaths were due to poaching.
- Causes include:
- Natural deaths
- Disease
- Accidents (open wells, railway tracks, roads)
- Human–wildlife conflict
🕒 Timestamp: 2024–25
Source: Government of India reply in Rajya Sabha
2. Population Growth Trend
- 1960s: Fewer than 200 Asiatic lions
- 2015 Census: 523 lions
- 2020 Census: 674 lions (+29%)
- 2025 Estimation (Gujarat): 891 lions (+32% since 2020)
🕒 Timestamp: Lion Census 2025
Source: Gujarat Forest Department / Media Reports
3. Expansion of Habitat & Range
- 2015:
- Range: 22,000 sq km
- Talukas: ~22
- 2020:
- Range expanded to 30,000 sq km
- 2025:
- Range further expanded to 35,000 sq km (+17%)
- Presence in 58 talukas (up from 53)
- Spread across 11 districts of Gujarat
Significance:
- Indicates successful conservation
- Raises concerns about human–lion coexistence due to expansion into inhabited areas
🕒 Timestamp: 2025
Source: Gujarat Lion Population Estimation Exercise
4. IUCN Green Status Assessment (First Ever)
- IUCN released its first Green Status assessment for the lion (Panthera leo).
- Focuses on:
- Species recovery
- Conservation success
- Long-term survival beyond population numbers
Key Insight:
Population increase alone is not sufficient; habitat quality and genetic security are crucial.
🕒 Timestamp: 2024
Source:IUCN
5. Project Lion – Government of India Initiative
- Project Lion announced on 15 August 2020 (74th Independence Day).
- Budget: ₹2,927 crore
- Launch: Expected on March 3 (World Wildlife Day) at Gir, Gujarat
- Objective:
- Long-term conservation of Asiatic lions
- Habitat improvement
- Disease management
- Reducing human–wildlife conflict
- Exploring alternate habitats beyond Gir
🕒 Timestamp: March 3, 2025
Source: Government Officials / Media Reports
6. Role of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
- Apex wildlife conservation body under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- Chairperson: Prime Minister of India
- Members:47
- Union Environment Minister (Vice-Chairperson)
- 19 ex-officio members
- 27 nominated experts
Functions:
- Policy guidance
- Wildlife habitat protection
- Approval of projects affecting ecological areas
- Environmental clearances
🕒 Timestamp: Ongoing
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Key Exam Takeaways
- Asiatic lions are endemic to India; Gujarat is their last wild habitat.
- Rising numbers ≠ secure future
- Habitat diversification & quality forests are critical
- Project Lion parallels Project Tiger, but focuses on a single-state species risk
Source: DD News — PM Modi interacts with ground staff at Gir National Park on World Wildlife Day
🔗 ddnews.gov.in – PM Modi interacts with ground staff at Gir National Park
Source: The Indian Express — Out of the woods in Gujarat: why Asiatic lion’s future can’t be secured by numbers alone
🔗 indianexpress.com – Out of the woods in Gujarat: why Asiatic lion’s future can’t be secured by numbers alone
Source: The Hindu — A viable population of lions can easily be established in the space available at Kuno
🔗 thehindu.com – A viable lion population can easily be established at Kuno
Source : Hindustan Times – PM Modi to unveil ₹2,927-cr Project Lion in Gir on March 3
🔗 Hindustan Times – PM Modi to unveil ₹2,927-cr Project Lion in Gir on March 3