Population Growth & Distribution
- 32% rise in lion population from 2020 to 2025 → total 891 lions.
- Adult females up by 27% → 330 individuals, indicating a strong future breeding base.
- More lions now live outside protected areas than within (Gir & Paniya), signaling range expansion.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
Habitat Expansion
- Core area (Gir NP + Paniya WS) hosts 394 lions – still the primary source population.
- Territorial range increased from:
- 30,000 sq. km in 2020 → 35,000 sq. km in 2025 (16.67% growth in range).
- Trend: Lions are increasingly moving into human-dominated landscapes.
Conservation Concerns
- Increased human-lion interaction risks rising conflict and ecological stress.
- Expansion into human areas raises challenges in conflict mitigation and safety of both humans and lions.
Expert Insights
- Y.V. Jhala (WII):
- Gujarat could host up to 2,000 lions based on prey base.
- Cattle carcasses rising indicate pressure on prey species and potential human-lion conflict.
- Urges need for new habitats, preferably outside Gujarat.
Policy & Action
- Kuno National Park (MP) was originally intended as an alternative lion habitat but is now hosting cheetahs.
- Project Lion (₹2,900 crore) approved in March 2025:
- Aims to improve existing lion habitats.
- Plans to develop new habitats within Gujarat.
Way Forward
- Diversifying lion habitats is essential to:
- Ensure genetic diversity.
- Reduce human-wildlife conflict.
- Mitigate risks from disease outbreaks or natural disasters.
- Need to balance conservation success with sustainable coexistence strategies and community engagement.
