https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

India Sees Surge in Asiatic Lion Population, Hits 891 in Latest Census – Full Details Inside

The figures have provided a significant boost to conservation efforts aimed at protecting the vulnerable species, which is now found only in Gujarat
Indian Masterminds Stories

India’s population of Asiatic lions has seen a remarkable increase of over one-third, reaching 891 according to the latest five-yearly census released on Wednesday, May 21. The figures have provided a significant boost to conservation efforts aimed at protecting the vulnerable species, which is now found only in Gujarat.

Also Read: 1000 Lions & 5000 Tigers… Coming Soon

The Asiatic lion, once widespread from the Middle East to India, has been reduced to a single isolated population in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas of Gujarat. Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Bhupendra Patel highlighted the consistent growth in lion numbers over the decades. “The Asiatic lion population, which stood at 304 in 1995, rose to 674 in 2020 and now has reached 891,” he told reporters.

Slightly smaller than their African counterparts, Asiatic lions are distinguished by a prominent fold of skin along their bellies. Their population plummeted to as low as 20 in 1913 due to hunting and habitat loss. Since then, focused conservation efforts have helped the species make a steady recovery.

The latest lion census, conducted over four days, spanned more than 35,000 sq km across 11 districts in Gujarat. Conservationist Mr. Priyavrat Gadhvi, a former member of the Gujarat Wildlife Board, attributed the rise in numbers to effective conservation strategies. “Another important factor is the political will and the strong support of local communities living near forest areas. Together, they have played a vital role in protecting the species,” he said.

Despite the encouraging growth, conservationists continue to express concern over the risks posed by the species’ confinement to a single habitat. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has warned of the threat of genetic inbreeding and vulnerability to potential catastrophes such as disease outbreaks or wildfires.

Lions remain a symbol of pride in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region, where coexistence between humans and the majestic cats is a common sight. Local cattle-herding communities live alongside the animals, and it is not unusual to see lions crossing highways as onlookers pause in awe.

The Gir sanctuary also attracts a large number of tourists annually, with nearly 550,000 visitors exploring the area in open-top jeeps, hoping to glimpse lions, leopards, panthers, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

With the lion population showing promising growth, conservationists stress the need for continued vigilance and the exploration of new habitats to ensure long-term survival of the iconic Asiatic lion.

Also Read: Tech-Driven Conservation: How Gir Forest is Pioneering Wildlife Protection


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CM mohan Yadav
MP’s Rewa Regional Tourism Conclave: Rs3,000 Crore Investment Proposals Open New Horizons for Economic Growth and Employment
mohan yadav
CM Yadav Unveils Rs3,000 Crore Investment Intentions to Boost Tourism in MP’s Rewa and Shahdol Divisions- Details Inside
IAS Prasanth N
Kerala Govt Orders Inquiry Into Suspended IAS Officer N. Prasanth Over Social Media Allegations- Full Details Inside
Madras_High_Court_
Blurring the Line: Tamil Nadu Government Faces Legal Heat Over IAS Officers’ Appointment as Official Spokespersons- Know Details
ChhattisgarhGovt_resized
Chhattisgarh to Develop 'State Capital Region' on NCR Lines: New Growth Engine for Urban Expansion
Bihar Government-resized-IM
Bihar Government Hikes Pension for Journalists and Their Spouses under Patrakaar Samman Scheme - Details Inside
CM Nitish Kumar
CM Nitish Kumar Lays Foundation Stones Worth Rs 426 Crore in Madhubani, Emphasizes Inclusive Development - Know More
Govt
Uttarakhand Sanctioned 212 Roads Under PMGSY-III, Confirms Rural Development Ministry - Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-24 at 18.24
How Fireflies and Butterflies Returned In Corbett’s Homeland
Chhoti haldwani
The Forgotten Village of Jim Corbett Comes Alive Again
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
pulkit bansal new
How a Village Shifted Dr. Pulkit Bansal’s Stethoscope to a Sarkari File
From AIIMS Delhi to AIR 155 in UPSC, Dr Pulkit Bansal’s village posting turned a doctor’s stethoscope...
Social Media
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
Kashish Mittal ex IAS
Ex-IAS Officer Kashish Mittal’s Soulful Rendition of ‘Unke Andaz-e-Karam’ Goes Viral
Former IAS Officer and IIT Delhi Graduate Wins Hearts with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Cover
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IFS Association Women
When History Was Made: The Unplanned, Joyous Moment in the IFS Association
CM mohan Yadav
MP’s Rewa Regional Tourism Conclave: Rs3,000 Crore Investment Proposals Open New Horizons for Economic Growth and Employment
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-24 at 18.24
Chhoti haldwani
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT