Ahmedabad: The 16th Lion Population Estimate — 2025 in Gujarat will be conducted in two phases from May 10 to 13. The census, covering 35,000 sq km, will employ the ‘direct beat verification’ methodology, forest officials said.
The lion count will involve roughly 3,000 trained volunteers, including officers at 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 counting.
Since 1980, Gir has served as the exclusive home of the Asiatic Lion. “Gujarat forest department conducts a lion population estimation every five years. The preliminary estimation will be conducted on May 10-11, followed by the final estimation on May 12-13. This estimation will cover a 35,000 sq km area across 58 talukas where lions are present,” said forest officials.
During the lion count, the Gir and Greater Gir regions will be divided into hierarchical units comprising regions, zones, and sub-zones. Volunteers will receive specific forms and area maps to document lion observations, including details such as sighting time, movement patterns, sex, age, distinguishing features, GPS coordinates, and group structure.
The ‘direct beat verification’ technique delivers nearly 100% precision in both statistical evaluation and execution, with minimal margin for error.
According to past estimates, the lion population in 1995 was 304, which increased to 327 in 2001, 359 in 2005, 411 in 2010, 523 in 2015, and 674 in 2020.