**Executive Summary**
The document addresses a parliamentary question regarding the Asiatic lion population in the Gir forests. The population increased from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025. The State of Gujarat has undertaken several measures to manage the lion population and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Lion Population Growth and Habitat Expansion:**
* The Asiatic lion population has increased from 674 (2020) to 891 (2025).
* Lions have inhabited new areas, including notified forest areas, river corridors, and revenue wastelands.
* **Conservation and Management Measures:**
* Comprehensive satellite telemetry study to generate data on lion ecology and spatial distribution.
* Engagement of Vanya PraniMitras and trackers to sensitize local populations.
* Improvement and restoration of grasslands and habitat across the Gir Lion landscape.
* Management of satellite populations and strengthening of protection measures.
* Delineation, habitat improvement, and protection of key corridors and lion movement routes.
* Provision of Machans (elevated platforms) for farmers to guard crops.
* Augmentation of water resources to minimize animal movement toward human-dominated areas.
* Eco-development activities, community participation, nature education camps, and outreach programs.
* SOP for lion protection around railway tracks, including speed restrictions for trains and monitoring/patrolling.
* **Habitat Development and Monitoring:**
* Barda Wildlife Sanctuary developed as a second home for the lion population.
* Habitat improvement initiatives undertaken in newer inhabited areas.
* Hi-Tech Monitoring Unit established at Sasan-Gir in 2019 for real-time tracking using radio telemetry.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State of Gujarat**
**Impact:** Responsible for implementing conservation and management measures, addressing human-wildlife conflict, and protecting lion habitats.
**Action Required:** Continue to execute and improve upon the outlined conservation strategies to ensure the long-term survival and well-being of the Asiatic lion population.
**Stakeholder: Local Communities**
**Impact:** Affected by the presence of lions and potential human-wildlife conflict. Sensitization programs and measures like Machans and water resource augmentation directly impact their lives.
**Action Required:** Participate in sensitization programs and community engagement initiatives to promote coexistence with the lion population while protecting their own livelihoods.
**Stakeholder: Railways**
**Impact:** Need to implement speed restrictions and follow SOPs to protect lions near railway tracks.
**Action Required:** Adhere to the developed SOP, implement speed restrictions in hotspot areas, and actively participate in monitoring and patrolling efforts near railway tracks.
**Stakeholder: Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change**
**Impact:** Responsible for the protection and conservation of lions and their habitats.
**Action Required:** Provide support and direction to the State of Gujarat in their conservation efforts, and monitor the progress of the various measures being implemented.
Key Entities Referenced
Asiatic Lion: The focus of conservation efforts and the subject of the population study.
Gir Forests: The primary habitat and location central to the conservation efforts for the Asiatic Lion population.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The overseeing ministry providing information on the conservation efforts.
Gujarat: The state where the lion population primarily inhabits, influencing conservation strategies.
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary: Developed as a second home for the lion population, integral to corridor management initiatives.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: POPULATION OF
ASIATIC LIONS IN GIR FORESTS
Posted On: 05 FEB 2026 3:32PM by PIB Delhi
The population of Asiatic Lion in the country has increased from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025. As per the
information received from the State of Gujarat, Lion population has inhabited new areas like notified
forest areas, river corridors as well as revenue wastelands. The State has taken up various measures to
manage human-wildlife conflicts and disease vulnerability by strengthening veterinary facilities. The
following are the important steps taken in this regard:
(i) A comprehensive satellite telemetry study carried out to generate scientific data on lion
ecology, spatial distribution, corridor use, movement of satellite populations, seasonal patterns,
land-use preferences, and key management zones.
(ii) Vanya PraniMitras and trackers are engaged to sensitize the nearby population regarding
wild animal movement in the area.
(iii) Improvement and restoration of grasslands, prey base augmentation, and habitat
improvement across Gir and Greater Gir Lion landscape.
(iv) Management of satellite populations in Greater Gir Landscape and strengthening of
protection.
(v) Delineation, habitat improvement and protection of key corridors and lion movement
routes.
(vi) Provision for Machans (elevated platforms) to farmers for guarding crops at night.
(vii) Augmentation of water resources to reduce animal movement toward human dominated
areas.
(viii) Eco-development activities, community participation, nature education camps and other
outreach programmes.
(ix) SOP for protection of lions around railway tracks developed, speed restrictions of trains in
hotspot areas and monitoring and patrolling of the area around railway tracks.
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary has been developed as a second home for lion population and corridor
management initiatives have facilitated safe movement between sub-populations, for natural expansion
into new habitats.
In addition, habitat improvement initiatives are also taken up in the newer areas inhabited by lion
population. A Hi-Tech Monitoring Unit has been established at Sasan-Gir in 2019 for real-time tracking
of lions using radio telemetry.This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST
AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Rajya
Sabha today.
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VM/GS/SK
(Rajya Sabha US Q700)
(Release ID: 2223755) Visitor Counter : 184
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