One of the most frequently used phrases to encourage someone is the world ‘Lion’, the ‘King of the Jungle’. Across the world, people associate the lion with bravery. And, the lion does deserve this honour. And to honour this magnificent animal in the true sense, World Lion Day is celebrated every year on 10 August.

The aim is – conservation of lions, cooperation in their natural environment and spreading awareness of their rescue. On this day, through various awareness efforts, dedication and programs, people highlight the important issues of lion conservation.

Most of the lions in Asia are found in India only. The Asiatic lion is one of the largest species in India. It is also known famously as the ‘Asiatic Lion’. It is a carnivore that is crowned as one of the ‘Five Big Cats’ in India with its magnificent sandy-silver body and an agile chasing top speed of 56 km/hr.

Apart from the lion, the other four species are – Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard.

Most of the lions in India are at the ‘Gir National Park’ of Gujarat which is located 65 km away from Junagarh. It was established for the sole purpose of protecting Asiatic lions along with leopards and antelopes. Apart from Africa, ‘Gir Forest National Park’ is the only place on earth to showcase Lions prowling free in the wild.

The lion population in India increased from a solid 523 in 2015 to a staggering 674 in 2020. The number has crossed to 700 now. There are around more than 400 lions in India’s Gir National Park only, while overall in the country, the number stands at 700.

Let us see how the country is celebrating World Lion Day 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted 4 beautiful photos of Asiatic lions on X (Twitter) and said, “World Lion Day is an occasion to celebrate the majestic lions that captivate our hearts with their strength and magnificence. India is proud to be home to the Asiatic Lions and over the last few years there has been a steady rise in the lion population in India. I laud all those working towards protecting the habitat of lions. May we continue to cherish and protect them, ensuring they thrive for generations to come.”

World Lion Day is an occasion to celebrate the majestic lions that captivate our hearts with their strength and magnificence. India is proud to be home to the Asiatic Lions and over the last few years there has been a steady rise in the lion population in India. I laud all those… pic.twitter.com/ohWcPP2Ofe

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 10, 2023

India’s Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav posted, “The Asiatic Lion is a source of national pride as India’s emblem 🇮🇳🦁. Their increasing numbers owe credit to persistent conservation efforts and remarkable community spirit in Gujarat. On #WorldLionDay2023, my heartfelt wishes to all dedicated to their preservation.”

The Asiatic Lion is a source of national pride as India's emblem 🇮🇳🦁. Their increasing numbers owe credit to persistent conservation efforts and remarkable community spirit in Gujarat.

On #WorldLionDay2023, my heartfelt wishes to all dedicated to their preservation.… pic.twitter.com/7zDcR1mawj

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) August 10, 2023

1996 batch IFS officer Ramesh Pandey posted, “Except lions most of the big cats are lone hunters. Lions live and make kills in groups. This trait makes lions different for other wildcats.

Do you know that group of lions is called pride. And the size of pride varies in numbers depending on many factors.“

Except lions most of the big cats are lone hunters. Lions live and make kills in groups. This trait makes lions different for other wildcats.

Do you know that group of lions is called pride. And the size of pride varies in numbers depending on many factors. #WorldLionDay pic.twitter.com/VOehsU5pAa

— Ramesh Pandey (@rameshpandeyifs) August 10, 2023

1999 batch IFS officer Surender Mehra posted a video and said, “Lion Rosette… Lion cubs have prominent rosettes, which get faded out as they grow and get maturity.”

#DYK
Lion Rosette…
Lion cubs have prominent rosettes, which get faded out as they grow and get maturity…
Video :WA #LionDay @moefcc pic.twitter.com/YJYxRgM90C

— Surender Mehra IFS (@surenmehra) August 10, 2023

2016 batch IFS officer Parween kaswan posted, “Seems family is going for celebration of #WorldLionDay2023 today at Gir. Have you seen a big family like this !!

Seems family is going for celebration of #WorldLionDay2023 today at Gir. Have you seen a big family like this !! pic.twitter.com/ODbheATddS

— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) August 10, 2023

Have you seen a more beautiful & roaring family than this. Those #Lion kids are being raised by queens !! #WorldLionDay2023 pic.twitter.com/rFl5Tyokbo

— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) August 10, 2023

Interesting Facts: African lions are considered the most social of their species. 15 lions live together as family in a pride. The group of lions protects the territory of their clan while most of the hunting is done by the lionesses. However, the male lions eat first. A lion can run at a speed of 50 miles per hour and jump more than 36 feet. Interestingly, it can also sleep for 20 hours a day.

1989 batch senior IFS officer Susanta Nanda posted a beautiful video of lion and its cub roaming around together. He wrote a beautiful caption too, “Follow your mother. You will never go wrong.”

Follow your mother.
You will never go wrong 💕 pic.twitter.com/7pJcig6UBB

— Susanta Nanda (@susantananda3) August 4, 2023

IFS Krishna posted, “The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous effort.”
~ Chanakya

Happy World Lion Day 🦁

“The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous effort.”
~ Chanakya

Happy World Lion Day 🦁#WorldLionDay2023 pic.twitter.com/vcWPyYZsHr

— Krishna, IFS (@krishna_ifs) August 10, 2023

Uttarakhand Forest Department tweeted, “🦁🌍 Happy World Lion Day from the Uttarakhand Forest Department! 🌿🐾 Join us in celebrating these majestic creatures that grace our lands with their presence. Let’s raise awareness about their importance in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem. 🦋🌱 #WorldLionDay

🦁🌍 Happy World Lion Day from the Uttarakhand Forest Department! 🌿🐾 Join us in celebrating these majestic creatures that grace our lands with their presence. Let's raise awareness about their importance in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem. 🦋🌱 #WorldLionDay pic.twitter.com/3QV3PcmrzX

— Uttarakhand Forest Department (@ukfd_official) August 10, 2023

HOW IT STARTED
World Lion Day was started from 2013 by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, co-founders of the organization, Big Cat Rescue. They started the day with the aim to create awareness among people for the protection and conservation of lions. Through this, they promoted the importance of lions and tried to encourage people’s cooperation towards their conservation. Both husband and wife started bringing the National Geographic Society and the Big Cat Initiative under the same banner to protect lions. Since then, every year, August 10 is celebrated as World Lion Day.

IFS officer D T Vasavada posted a video wishing Happy World Lion day.

Happy World Lion Day pic.twitter.com/GDTapKv5oC

— D T Vasavada IFS (@vasavada_d) August 10, 2023

2008 batch IAS officer and CEO, Statue of Unity, Udit Agrawal posted, “Hear the Roar on the World Lion Day! Join us at the #StatueofUnity’s #JungleSafari for an unforgettable experience and celebrate the kings of the wild on this special day. #WorldLionDay

Hear the Roar on the World Lion Day! Join us at the #StatueofUnity's #JungleSafari for an unforgettable experience and celebrate the kings of the wild on this special day. #WorldLionDay #WildlifeWonder" pic.twitter.com/MKAtxRXubz

— Udit Agrawal (@udit_ias) August 10, 2023

IFS officer Dheeraj Mittal, working as Assistant Inspector General of Forests, MoEF&CC, posted, “WorldLionDay2023 Let’s celebrate the roar of the majestic species. #AsiaticLions”

#WorldLionDay2023 Let's celebrate the roar of the majestic species. #AsiaticLions #ProjectLion @dcfsasangir @moefcc @DCF_GirWest pic.twitter.com/a9LZV1kqlu

— Dheeraj Mittal (@dmittal_ifs) August 10, 2023

IFS officer Agneeshwar Vyas posted, “It’s my day, all big dreams have small beginning.” #LionDay

It’s my day, all big dreams have small beginning. #LionDay #lion #royal #WorldLionDay2023 #conservation #nature #wildlife pic.twitter.com/FyL53p89pq

— Agneeshwar Vyas, IFS (@agnee_cool) August 10, 2023