Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Gujarat Reorganises Porbandar Forest Division as Lions Return to Barda
The Gujarat government has changed how forests in Porbandar district are managed.
This happened because Asiatic lions have returned to Barda forest after 143 years.
The forest division will now have clearer areas and responsibilities for its officers and staff.
It will cover seven ranges.
Some forest land and four villages will move from another forest division into the Porbandar division.
Two senior forest officers will supervise different groups of ranges.
Staff, vehicles, equipment and records will also be reorganised.
The government says the changes will help protect forests and manage the lions in Barda.
The Gujarat government has reorganised the Porbandar Forest Division to strengthen field-level forest administration.
The move follows the natural return of Asiatic lions to Barda forest after 143 years.
The revised division will include seven ranges, including newly incorporated social forestry and Kutiyana ranges.
A total of 305.94 hectares across four villages will transfer from Jamnagar Forest Division to Porbandar Forest Division.
Two Assistant Conservators of Forests will supervise the expanded structure, which takes effect immediately.
- Who
- The Gujarat government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and the Forest and Environment Department.
- What
- Reorganisation of the Porbandar Forest Division’s ranges, beats, staff and resources.
- When
- The government resolution took effect immediately upon publication; it was announced on Tuesday.
- Where
- The Porbandar Forest Division in Gujarat, including Barda forest, Porbandar district and areas transferred from Devbhumi Dwarka district.
- Why
- To clarify field-level responsibilities and strengthen forest conservation, wildlife management and lion rehabilitation in Barda.
- Lion return
- Asiatic lions naturally returned to Barda after 143 years.
- New division structure
- The Porbandar Forest Division will have seven ranges.
- Porbandar Range
- It will cover 6,840.84 hectares and 80 villages.
- Ranavav Range
- It will cover 13,051.25 hectares and 27 villages.
- Transferred land
- 305.94 hectares will move from the RFW Bhatia Range of Jamnagar Forest Division to Bhanvad Range.
- Transferred villages
- Kandarda Jogna, Sajdiyala, Juna and Jambusar in Bhanvad taluka will come under Porbandar Forest Division.
- Supervision
- Two Assistant Conservators of Forests will oversee the expanded structure.