Here is some good news that we can all cheer about. India has recorded a good 29 per cent increase in the population of Asiatic lions in the past five years. By Amitha Ameen
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“The Asiatic lion, once faced with imminent extinction has shown a population recovery which has been acclaimed as a global conservation success story, thanks to the timely intervention by the erstwhile Nawab of Junagadh and protection regimes of the Gujarat Forest Department in the post-independence era,” read a press release from Chief Wildlife Warden Gujarat State.
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From 523 in 2015, the numbers have increased to 674 in 2020, in a matter of just five years. Additionally, this period also saw a 36 per cent increase in the distribution of the area of the lions to 30,000 sq km in 2020.
Asiatic lions are found in protected areas and are restricted to the landscape of Saurashtra and mostly in Gir National Park. “Over the last several years, the Lion population in Gujarat has been steadily rising. This is powered by community participation, emphasis on technology, wildlife healthcare, proper habitat management, and steps to minimise human-lion conflict,” tweeted Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
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Thanks to the effective conservation and management by the Gujarat Forest Department, Asiatic lions have seen a consistent increase in the population and distribution. In the adult category, there are 161 males and 260 females, the sub-adult category has 45 male, 49 female, and 22 unidentified and the cubs are at 137 in numbers.
The good news came through an exercise conducted by the Gujarat Forest Department called ‘Poonam Avlokan’ carried out between fifth and sixth June 2020. Total manpower of around 1,400 personnel was deployed and individual identification marks, radio-collar numbers and images, and other technology were used to arrive at the figures.
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