Gujarat’s Asiatic lion population up by 27%

FOUND ONLY IN GUJARAT FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY NOW, ASIATIC LIONS ARE SPREAD ON AN APPROXIMATELY 22,000 SQ KM AREA

GIR FOREST: The population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat’s Gir forest has gone up to 523, registering a growth of 27% in the latest counting conducted by the state forest department, the chief minister announced on Sunday.

“We have registered a robust growth in lion population, which was 411 in 2010 and now reached 523, which means growth of 27 per cent,” chief minister Anandiben Patel said while releasing the figures at Gir Forest, Junagadh.

According to latest figures, 109 lions, 201 lioness and 213 cubs were counted.

Found only in Gujarat for more than a century now, Asiatic lions are spread on an approximately 22,000 square kilo metre area that span eight districts of Saurashtra region in the state.

The majestic animal, called “King of Forest”, was once present in much of North India but since 1880, it became confined to only Gir forest in Gujarat.

The lion is associated with Gujarat’s pride and therefore the state government has stubbornly refused to share it with neighbouring Madhya Pradesh where a special park to inhabit the lions has been built.

Even the Supreme Court also ruled in favour of Madhya Pradesh, directing the Gujarat government to shift some lions in MP but the Gujarat government has remained unfazedandnowtheMPgovernment alsostoppedinsistingafterNarendra Modi became PM last year.

“You know that lion is pride of Gujarat and that’s the reason our Prime Minister Narendrabhai, has made Lion as logo of his ambitious ‘Make in India’ initiative,” Anandiben said, lauding the efforts of the people of the state in showing a successful wildlife conservation model.