The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had launched the document ‘Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal’ as a part of the Project Lion on December 22, 2022, with the aim of conserving the Asiatic Lions in Gir, Gujarat. Project Lion envisages ecology-based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in the Gir landscape in Gujarat the last home of the Asiatic lion.
This project has been prepared taking into consideration the increase in the lion population up till 2047. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has also decided to continue the practice of carrying out two censuses for herbivores even after the implementation of Project Lion. Apart from boosting the prey base, wells will be covered and an adequate number of artificial ponds will be created under the project for ensuring drinking water for the lions.
Objectives of the Project
Project Lion has the following objectives:
- To secure and restore lions’ habitats for managing its growing population
- To scale up livelihood generation and participation of local communities
- To become a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment
- To create inclusive biodiversity conservation through Project Lion initiative
Vision
Project Lion envisages activities to ensure overall conservation of the entire ecosystem inhabited by the flagship species. The project is being implemented by the Gujarat government and other stakeholders such as the Central Zoo Authority.
The NTCA has finalised this project. As per the NTCA, the Centre does not consider the translocation of lions outside Gujarat to the sites that had been proposed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in 2020. The NTCA has also suggested the establishment of seven to eight satellite population habitats of lions within the state of Gujarat, including Barda Dungar from where Maldharis, herdsmen community, have to be shifted by giving Rs 15 lakh and land in other areas to each family. Shifting of lion to Barda has been pending since 2000. The areas focused for habitats are—Umath Virdi in Bhavnagar, Gir, Girnar, Mitiyala, Jesor-Hipawadi, Babra Virdi, Hingolgadh, and the coastal belt from Rajula to Jafrabad, extending up to Mahuva.
Areas within Gir Sanctuary and other protected zones would undergo interventions, such as the planting of more fruit trees to attract ungulates, animals with hooves, including nilgai. The spots in the 30,000 sq. km area in Saurashtra, where lions have frequently been sighted over the years, would be potential abodes for them. As of now, about 14,000 sq. km in that zone has been annexed permanently by the lions.
A financial assistance of Rs 124.58 lakhs has been provided to Gujarat state for the conservation of wildlife under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS), viz., Development of Wildlife Habitats, since 2020. Further, revalidation of Rs 1,641.42 lakhs of grants released during 2018–19, under the Asiatic Lion Conservation Project, was also done during this period. The Gujarat government has also submitted the Utilisation Certificate for the funds released as central share under the Asiatic Lion Conservation Project.
About Asiatic Lion
Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions. Adult males weigh 160 to 190 kg, while females weigh 110 to 120 kg with the height at the shoulders being about 3.5 ft (110 cm). The maximum recorded total length of a male Asiatic lion is 2.92m, including the tail. Asiatic lions have a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly. The fur ranges in colour from ruddy-tawny, heavily speckled with black, to sandy or buff-grey, sometimes with a silvery sheen in certain lights. Males have only moderate mane growth at the top of the head, so that their ears are always visible.
Asiatic lions were once spread across West Bengal in the East up to Rewa in Madhya Pradesh. At present, Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion. The last surviving population of the Asiatic lions is a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in southwestern part of Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
Threats to Asiatic Lion The lions face the usual threats of poaching and habitat fragmentation. Besides, three major roads, three temples, and a railway track pass through the Gir Protected Area (PA). There has been an increase in lion population, with more than 200 lions staying outside the PA. Though the human-animal conflict is not high now, with changing lifestyles and values, the conflict may increase in the future. There have been cases of lions dying by falling into the unguarded wells around the Gir PA. Asiatic lions also face threat of genetic inbreeding due to a single population in one place.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has supported barricading of 180 wells with local partners and Gujarat Forest Department. Therefore, the subsidy by the Gujarat government has been doubled and many farmers have barricaded the wells with government support. To strengthen the efforts of Gir PA to manage conflict and poaching, WWF has also provided need-based support whereas WWF India has conducted study to assess habitat change in the next 20 years.
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