Gandhinagar: As India celebrates World Lion Day 2025, Gujarat marks a significant milestone in wildlife conservation with the successful ecological transformation of Barda Wildlife Sanctuary into a thriving secondary habitat for the Asiatic lion.
Spearheaded by the Gujarat Forest and Environment Department and under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the project reflects the central philosophy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s conservation mantra: “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi” — blending development with heritage preservation.
Barda’s Ecological Comeback: From Forest to Functional Habitat
Located near Porbandar in coastal Saurashtra, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is now home to 17 Asiatic lions, including cubs, and a stable population of 25 leopards, as per the 2023 wildlife census.
Once a degraded forest patch, Barda has been scientifically revived through:
- Grassland rejuvenation
- Prey base augmentation
- Radio-collar tracking
- Technology-enabled wildlife surveillance
The sanctuary has achieved a rare distinction — 100% lion habitation within its protected boundaries — underscoring its success as a conservation landscape.
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Barda Jungle Safari: Eco-Tourism with a Conservation Heart
In a move to blend wildlife protection with public awareness and local development, the Gujarat Forest Department launched a guided jungle safari in Barda from October 16 to June 15 every year.
Safari Cost (per trip for up to 6 persons):
- ₹1400 – Gypsy charge
- ₹400 – Guide fee
- ₹400 – Government permit
- Total: ₹2200
Additional visitor-friendly infrastructure includes:
- Parking facilities
- Waiting lounges
- Sanitation amenities
Year-round access to Kileshwar Mahadev Temple, ensuring cultural respect alongside ecological integrity
Community at the Core: Maldhari Involvement Powers Conservation
A hallmark of Barda’s model is community integration. Traditional pastoralist groups, particularly the Maldharis, are key stakeholders in:
- Eco-tourism operations
- Conservation surveillance
- Habitat upkeep
Their involvement exemplifies Gujarat’s citizen-centric, participatory governance in environmental protection — where local livelihoods and biodiversity preservation coexist in harmony.
Lion Census 2025: Gujarat Roars with 891 Asiatic Lions
The latest 2025 Lion Census records 891 Asiatic lions in Gujarat, with over 50% living outside the Gir Protected Area, validating the success of habitat decentralisation under Project Lion.
This flagship initiative by the Central Government focuses on:
- Health security for big cats
- Habitat diversification
- Prey base strengthening
- Technological surveillance
- Barda stands as a strategic pillar in this national vision.
- India’s Global Big Cat Leadership
India’s rising conservation efforts align with PM Modi’s International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a global coalition aimed at protecting the world’s major feline species.
Barda Sanctuary — now a symbol of India’s big cat stewardship — offers replicable solutions for other nations seeking to balance urbanisation with wilderness protection.
