Ahmedabad: The population of the Asiatic Lion, once faced with imminent extinction, has increased by almost 29 per cent to 674 in Gujarat's Gir forest region.
The forest department carried out a "population estimation exercise" on the night of June 5 and June 6 when there was a full moon as the five-yearly census could not be carried out due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to share the news of an increase in the population of Asiatic lions, crediting community participation for it.
"Two very good news: Population of the majestic Asiatic Lion, living in Gujarat's Gir Forest, is up by almost 29 per cent," he said.
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Two very good news:
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
Population of the majestic Asiatic Lion, living in Gujarat’s Gir Forest, is up by almost 29%.
Geographically, distribution area is up by 36%.
Kudos to the people of Gujarat and all those whose efforts have led to this excellent feat.https://t.co/vUKngxOCa7 pic.twitter.com/TEIT2424vF
">Two very good news:
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2020
Population of the majestic Asiatic Lion, living in Gujarat’s Gir Forest, is up by almost 29%.
Geographically, distribution area is up by 36%.
Kudos to the people of Gujarat and all those whose efforts have led to this excellent feat.https://t.co/vUKngxOCa7 pic.twitter.com/TEIT2424vFTwo very good news:
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2020
Population of the majestic Asiatic Lion, living in Gujarat’s Gir Forest, is up by almost 29%.
Geographically, distribution area is up by 36%.
Kudos to the people of Gujarat and all those whose efforts have led to this excellent feat.https://t.co/vUKngxOCa7 pic.twitter.com/TEIT2424vF
Geographically, the distribution area of the animals was up by 36 per cent, Modi said.
"Kudos to the people of Gujarat and all those whose efforts have led to this excellent feat," he wrote on the microblogging website.
"Over the last several years, the lion population in Gujarat has been steadily rising. This was powered by community participation with an emphasis on technology, wildlife healthcare, proper habitat management and steps to minimise human-lion conflict. Hope this positive trend continues," the PM added.
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Over the last several years, the Lion population in Gujarat has been steadily rising. This is powered by community participation, emphasis on technology, wildlife healthcare, proper habitat management and steps to minimise human-lion conflict. Hope this positive trend continues!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">Over the last several years, the Lion population in Gujarat has been steadily rising. This is powered by community participation, emphasis on technology, wildlife healthcare, proper habitat management and steps to minimise human-lion conflict. Hope this positive trend continues!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2020Over the last several years, the Lion population in Gujarat has been steadily rising. This is powered by community participation, emphasis on technology, wildlife healthcare, proper habitat management and steps to minimise human-lion conflict. Hope this positive trend continues!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2020
As per the latest data available, the population of Asiatic Lions has shown a steady increase with a population of 674 individuals with an increased rate of 28.87 per cent, one of the highest growth rate so far from the previous growth of 27 per cent during 2015 (523 lions).
The distribution of the lions has increased from an area of 22,000 sq. km in 2015 to 30,000 sq. km in 2020, thus increasing the distribution area by 36 per cent.
It is to be noted that there has been a consistent increase in the population and distribution area of Asiatic lions, mainly owing to the effective conservation and management by the Gujarat Forest Department.
(With inputs from PTI)
Also Read: No lion census, only observation activity this week in Gujarat
