Number of Asiatic Lions In India Go Up by 29% in Five Years

Asiatic Lions population increase in India….Learn more…

Friday, 27th August 2021

Asiatic lions in the Gir forest area have multiplied over the last few years, their numbers having gone up by 29 per cent to 674 according to the Gujarat Forest Department.

The news was also shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter where he also gave credit to local participation for the rise in numbers.

The regular five yearly census, usually carried out in the month of May could not be carried out this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. So, the exercise was undertaken later and on the night of June 5 and 6 when there was a full moon, the ‘population estimation exercise’ was conducted by the Gujarat forest department.

According to the census carried out in May 2015, there were 523 Asiatic lions in Gir. This marked a rise in the numbers from the 2010 count by almost 27 per cent.

As per the “Poonam Avlokan (full-moon night estimation exercise)”, the lions’ population had reached 674, a 28.87 per cent increase, revealed the official statement, which also added that this was the highest growth rate recorded so far.

This population of 674 included 161 males, 260 females, 116 sub-adult lions and 137 cubs, as per the forest department. The count also suggested that the area occupied by the lions has gone up by 36 per cent. In 2015, the area they inhabited was 22,000 sq km which went up to 30,000 sq km in 2020.

The method used to conduct the exercise was ‘Direct Beat Verification’, which is also known as the block count method. It involved 1,400 personnel, according to official sources.

Junagadh range Chief Conservator of Forest D T Vasavada however said that the estimation exercise was not a complete census. “Lion census is carried out every five years in an extensive manner. Large number of central and state government officials, wildlife lovers, NGOs and members of National Board of Wildlife are involved in it. But due to lockdown we cannot call them now and a full-fledged census cannot be carried out.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the news on social media and tweeted, “Two very good news: Population of the majestic Asiatic Lion, living in Gujarat’s Gir Forest, is up by almost 29 per cent.”

Modi also noted, “Kudos to the people of Gujarat and all those whose efforts have led to this excellent feat,” alluding to the geographical distribution area of the animals that went up by 36 per cent. He added, “Hope the positive trend continues.”

The News Talkie Bureau

Source-

Timesofindia Indiatimes