Lion count grows by 32% in 5 years, expands beyond protected areas, Pg12

India’s lion population in Gujarat has increased by 32% between 2020 and 2025, reaching 891 lions, according to the Gujarat Forest Department.

• Adult female lions increased by 27% to 330 individuals — a key indicator of future population stability.
• The lion population is spreading beyond Gir National Park and Paniya Sanctuary into non-protected areas.
• The territorial range expanded to 35,000 sq km in 2025, up from 30,000 sq km in 2020 (16.67% rise).

Population & Habitat Trends:

• The source population (Gir and Paniya) reported the highest lion numbers (394), but more lions are now found outside protected zones, raising conservation challenges.
• Expert Y.V. Jhala noted Gujarat remains a strong model for lion conservation, but human-lion interaction risks are rising.
• The abundance of prey (cattle carcasses) has supported the population, but brings lions closer to human settlements.

Conservation Challenges:

• Increasing lion numbers and territorial expansion raise the risk of human-wildlife conflict.
• Gujarat alone is unlikely to sustain the entire population in the long term.
• Kuno National Park (MP), initially intended for lions but now hosting cheetahs, reflects missed opportunities in relocation planning.

Policy Measures:

• Project Lion, launched in 2024 with a budget of ₹2,900 crore, aims to:
  • Enhance lion habitat in Gujarat.
  • Develop new lion habitats beyond Gujarat.
  • The project seeks to mitigate territorial saturation and ensure genetic diversity by exploring interstate translocation.

Key Concepts:

• Source Population: The original breeding population from which species spread to new areas.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Occurs when wild animals pose threats to human life or livelihoods.
• Project Lion: Government scheme for comprehensive lion conservation including habitat development, relocation, and community engagement.

Significance:

• Reflects India’s wildlife recovery success, but underscores the need for scientific planning to manage ecological limits.
• Demonstrates the tension between conservation success and spatial constraints, highlighting the urgency for multi-state cooperation.
• Raises ethical and ecological questions about coexistence, compensation, and relocation.

Mains Mock Question:

India’s success in increasing the lion population has also raised new conservation and coexistence challenges. Discuss the ecological and administrative steps needed to ensure sustainable lion conservation.