Ahmedabad: The 16th lion population estimate, to be conducted in two phases, will begin on Saturday. The assessment, using the ‘direct beat verification’ method, will cover a 35,000 sq km area in the Saurashtra region.The Gir region in Saurashtra has been the sole habitat for Asiatic lions since 1980, with the Gujarat forest department conducting population estimates every five years.The lion count will engage roughly 3,000 trained volunteers, including forest officials from across regional, zonal, and sub-zonal levels.Advanced technological tools, including high-resolution cameras, radio collars, the e-GujForest application, and GIS software, will support the count.The Asiatic lion estimation, with initial counting on May 10-11, will be followed by a final assessment on May 12-13. The count will be spread across 58 talukas where lions have been spotted.According to govt sources, the ‘direct beat verification’ approach provides nearly 100% accuracy in statistical analysis and implementation, with a minimal margin of error. This method proved effective across forests, grasslands, coastal areas, and revenue regions for over three decades.The Gir and Greater Gir areas will be divided into hierarchical units of regions, zones, and sub-zones. Volunteers will receive forms and area maps to record lion sightings, including observation time, movement direction, gender, age, identifying features, GPS location, and group composition.”To identify lions, various tools like high-resolution cameras and camera traps will be used. Some lions have radio collars which will help locate them and their groups. The e-GujForest application will assist in real-time data entry of lion observations, enhancing accuracy, and this data will be supported with GPS locations and photos. Additionally, GIS software will be used to delineate survey areas and develop detailed maps to track lion movements, distribution patterns, and habitat use,” said forest department officials.Historical data shows lion populations of 304 in 1995, which rose to 327 in 2001; 359 in 2005; 411 in 2010; 523 in 2015; and 674 in 2020.