India’s Successful Conservation Strategy shows Remarkable Rise in Asiatic Lion Population

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From 284 lions (1990) to 891 (2025), India witnessed a 70% rise in the population of Asiatic lion over the last decade.

About Asiatic Lion

Habitat: Dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in southwestern part of Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
- At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is their only abode.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN); Schedule I (Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972); Appendix I (CITES).
Key Characteristics of Asiatic Lion: Slightly smaller than African lions. Have no particular breeding season.

Project Lion (2020): Focusing on Habitat improvement, monitoring through advanced technologies like radio-collaring and camera traps, and addressing human-wildlife conflict.
Greater Gir Concept: Expanding lion habitats beyond Gir to areas like Girnar, Pania, and Mitiyala.
International Big Cats Alliance: Reinforces the global commitment to conserving big cats, including lions.
Covered under Species Recovery Programme, part of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats Scheme.

Location: Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts, Gujarat.
Significance: Despite the small forest area of 192.31 sq. km, it hosts a number of medicinal plants and is a significant biodiversity hotspot.
- Barda is emerging as a second home for Asiatic Lions.
Declared a Sanctuary: In 1979.
Key Flora: Gorad, Babul, Dhav, Rayan, Ber, Jamun, Amli, Dhudhlo, Bamboo etc.
Key Fauna: Sambar, chital, chinkara, etc.