Ahmedabad: The Gujarat forest department is scheduled to conduct the lion census from May 10 to 13 in a 35,000 sq km area, covering all 11 districts of Saurashtra and the Union territory of Diu for the first time. More than 50% of Saurashtra region has been earmarked as lion territory by the forest department.
According to the 2020 census data, the population of Asiatic lions increased to 674 from 523 in 2015, marking a 28.87% increase — the highest growth rate since the forest department was set up. That year, the exercise was conducted in nine districts of Saurashtra with 30,000 sq km marked as lion territory.
The officials said that the population count will not only capture the numbers but also key data such as movement patterns, gender, age groupings, identity markers, GPS locations and pride compositions of the lions. Approximately 3,000 trained volunteers, along with regional, zonal and sub-zonal officers, will participate in the operation. The officials said the use of advanced technologies such as high-resolution cameras, radio collars, e-GujForest mobile application and GIS software will enhance accuracy and real-time data collection.
The officials said that in just two decades, the lion territory increased from 13,000 sq km to 35,000 sq km, an increase of 169%, while the population increased from 359 to 674, an increase of 87%. The officials said that in the five years after the census, lions were sighted in Jamnagar district and the outskirts of Rajkot city. In the last couple of years, lion sightings near Jetpur have increased.
The officials said that lions have been spotted in the Madhavpur area near Porbandar, indicating the expansion of Asiatic lion territory beyond Gir National Park. They said there have been instances of lions crossing the bridges that come along the way. The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is also a lion habitat now and therefore the census will also cover Devbhumi Dwarka to ensure not a single big cat is missed.
Once teetering on the brink of extinction and classified as endangered, the Asiatic lion is now listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The latest IUCN ‘Green Status’ assessment, which painted a grim picture for lion populations across the globe, has identified Gujarat as a bright spot for the species, calling it the last stronghold of the Asiatic lion. According to the forest officials, the lion population is expected to touch the 900 mark after the 2025 census.
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat forest department is scheduled to conduct the lion census from May 10 to 13 in a 35,000 sq km area, covering all 11 districts of Saurashtra and the Union territory of Diu for the first time. More than 50% of Saurashtra region has been earmarked as lion territory by the forest department.
According to the 2020 census data, the population of Asiatic lions increased to 674 from 523 in 2015, marking a 28.87% increase — the highest growth rate since the forest department was set up. That year, the exercise was conducted in nine districts of Saurashtra with 30,000 sq km marked as lion territory.
The officials said that the population count will not only capture the numbers but also key data such as movement patterns, gender, age groupings, identity markers, GPS locations and pride compositions of the lions. Approximately 3,000 trained volunteers, along with regional, zonal and sub-zonal officers, will participate in the operation. The officials said the use of advanced technologies such as high-resolution cameras, radio collars, e-GujForest mobile application and GIS software will enhance accuracy and real-time data collection.
The officials said that in just two decades, the lion territory increased from 13,000 sq km to 35,000 sq km, an increase of 169%, while the population increased from 359 to 674, an increase of 87%. The officials said that in the five years after the census, lions were sighted in Jamnagar district and the outskirts of Rajkot city. In the last couple of years, lion sightings near Jetpur have increased.
The officials said that lions have been spotted in the Madhavpur area near Porbandar, indicating the expansion of Asiatic lion territory beyond Gir National Park. They said there have been instances of lions crossing the bridges that come along the way. The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is also a lion habitat now and therefore the census will also cover Devbhumi Dwarka to ensure not a single big cat is missed.
Once teetering on the brink of extinction and classified as endangered, the Asiatic lion is now listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The latest IUCN ‘Green Status’ assessment, which painted a grim picture for lion populations across the globe, has identified Gujarat as a bright spot for the species, calling it the last stronghold of the Asiatic lion. According to the forest officials, the lion population is expected to touch the 900 mark after the 2025 census.