Devbhumi Dwarka: India marked World Lion Day 2025 with a grand celebration at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, showcasing a major conservation victory—the Asiatic lion population has risen to 891, up from 674 in 2020.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Gujarat Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera attended the event, alongside MPs, MLAs, and conservation stakeholders.
A Decade of Record-Breaking Growth
Union Minister Yadav hailed the rise as a “global model of successful wildlife conservation”, noting a 32% increase since 2020 and over 70% growth in the last decade. From just 284 lions in 1990, the count has now reached its highest in recorded history.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi—first as Gujarat CM and later as PM—for making Project Lion a national priority. Yadav applauded forest officials, conservationists, and communities for ensuring policies of co-existence drive this success.
“It is a matter of immense national pride that the Asiatic lion exists only in Gujarat. Our efforts have doubled their numbers in ten years, offering hope to global wildlife protection,” he said.
Gujarat’s Ongoing Commitment to Lion Conservation
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reaffirmed Gujarat’s role as the sole global home for the Asiatic lion. He highlighted conservation measures that increased the state’s lion population from 674 to 891, including new habitats, veterinary care, and eco-tourism infrastructure worth ₹180 crore.
After 143 years, lions have naturally returned to the Barda region, restoring ecological balance. Patel stressed proactive habitat management, conflict mitigation, and livelihood creation to ensure “the roar of the Asiatic lion remains the pride of Gujarat.”
Also Read: World Lion Day 2025: Barda Sanctuary Emerges as Gujarat’s Rising Roar in Asiatic Lion Conservation
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary: Emerging Second Home for Lions
Spanning 192.31 sq. km in Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts, Barda is now home to 17 lions, including 6 adults and 11 cubs. Its proximity to the Dwarka–Porbandar–Somnath tourist circuit makes it a prime ecotourism site.
The Centre has approved in-principle the Barda Safari Park and Zoo, alongside a planned 248-hectare safari park, boosting tourism and conservation.
Project Lion: Long-Term Conservation Vision
Announced by PM Modi in 2020, Project Lion is a 10-year, ₹2,927.71 crore initiative to secure the species’ future. It includes a National Referral Centre for Wildlife Healthcare in Junagadh, covering 20.24 hectares, to enhance veterinary and scientific care.
World Lion Day celebrations also took place across 11 Saurashtra districts, where the lions roam freely over 35,000 sq. km. Students across the Greater Gir Lion Landscape joined via satellite link, continuing a tradition that saw over 18 lakh students participate in 2024.
