Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Gujarat Lion Conservation Targets Whole Ecosystem, Population Reaches 891
On World Lion Day, leaders in Gujarat, India, talked about protecting lions.
The Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, said saving lions means saving the whole environment around them, like forests and water.
Gujarat is the only place where wild Asiatic lions live freely.
The number of lions there has gone up to 891.
Lions used to live in only a few areas, but now they are found in many more parts of the state.
Some lions even moved to a place called Barda Wildlife Sanctuary after 143 years.
There are 26 lions living there now.
Leaders also said people should stay away from lions and not disturb them.
They believe if wildlife survives, then people can survive too.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said lion conservation aims to protect the entire ecosystem, not just increase lion numbers.
Gujarat is the only home of free-ranging Asiatic lions, with the population rising to 891.
Lion geographical range has expanded from three districts to 11 districts over the past two and a half decades.
Lions returned to the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary after 143 years, with 26 lions now residing there.
The state's conservation model rests on four pillars: modern technology, scientific research, public participation and effective administration.
- Who
- Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia, and other state officials
- What
- Marked World Lion Day by emphasizing that lion conservation protects the entire ecosystem, with the population now at 891
- When
- August 10 (World Lion Day), with the programme held on Monday
- Where
- Tajawala Hall in Porbandar, Gujarat; Chief Minister joined virtually from Gandhinagar
- Why
- To raise awareness about Asiatic lion conservation and highlight the state's ecosystem-wide conservation model
Conservation Priority View
Tourism and Development View
Balance Between Ecology and Development
Conservation Priority View
Lion conservation must prioritize protecting the entire ecosystem, including forests, water sources, agriculture and biodiversity, with coexistence between communities and wildlife as central.
Tourism and Development View
The Barda region, including Porbandar, is emerging as a tourist destination with a safari park planned over 270 hectares, suggesting economic and tourism development alongside conservation.
- Lion Population
- 891
- Habitat Range
- Expanded from 3 districts to 11 districts over 25 years
- Barda Wildlife Sanctuary Lions
- 26 lions, after first arrived in 2023 following a 143-year absence
- Proposed Barda Safari Park
- Approximately 270 hectares
- Conservation Model Pillars
- Modern technology, scientific research, public participation, effective administration
- Planned Bird Sanctuaries
- Mokr Sagar and Medhakreek; Ramsar site status sought for Mokr Sagar
- Project Lion
- Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conserve lion habitats