Govt launches Asiatic Lions Conservation Project

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Thursday launched the ‘Asiatic Lion Conservation Project’ with an aim to protect and conserve the world’s last ranging free population of Asiatic Lion.

The decision came two days after three Asiatic lions were run over by a goods train in Gir.

1. The main objective of this project is to work for the conservation of the world’s last ranging free Asiatic lions population and ecosystem associated with it.

2. The minister said the total budget of the project for the next three years will be funded through a centrally sponsored scheme, the Development of Wildlife Habitat, with the contributing ratio of 60:40 for central and state share.

3. “The Asiatic Lion Conservation Project will strengthen the ongoing measures for conservation and recovery of Asiatic Lion with the help of state-of-the-art techniques, regular scientific research studies, disease management, modern surveillance techniques,” Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said at a review meeting.

4. It will be supplemented with sufficient eco-development works ensuring a stable and viable Lion population in India.

5. Less than 50 lions survived in the Gir forests of Gujarat by late 1890’s, the ministry said in a statement, adding, “With timely and stringent protection offered by the state government and the Centre, Asiatic lions have increased to the current population of over 500.

6. Asiatic Lions which once ranged from Persia (Iran) to Palamau in Eastern India had almost been driven to extinction by indiscriminate hunting and habitat loss.

7. A single population of less than 50 lions persisted in the Gir forests of Gujarat by late 1890’s. With stringent protection offered by the state and the central governments, Asiatic lions have increased to the current population of over 500.

8. The 2015 census showed a population of 523 Asiatic Lions in the Gir Protected Area Network of 1648.79 sq. km.

About Asiatic lions:

Lion is one of five pantherine cats inhabiting India, along with the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard. It was also known as ‘Indian lion’ and ‘Persian lion’. Asiatic Lions are listed as ‘Endangered’ under the IUCN Red List. Its population is restricted to the state of Gujarat in India