Why in the News?
According to a recent report by the Gujarat Forest Department, the population of Asiatic lions in India has increased by 32% between 2020 and 2025, reaching 891 individuals.
About the Asiatic Lion:
- Scientific Identity: The Asiatic Lion, also known as the Persian or Indian Lion, is found only in India and is one of the 5 big cat species in the country.
- Physical Traits: They are slightly smaller than African lions and have a less developed mane.
- Habitat: Their only wild habitat is the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat.
- Range: Asiatic lions once roamed Western Asia, the Middle East, and parts of eastern and central India. Now, their entire wild population is restricted to Gujarat.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Endangered (facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild)
- CITES: Appendix I (international commercial trade is prohibited; trade is permitted only in exceptional circumstances)
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I (highest level of protection in India, violations attract the harshest penalties)
- Lion Census: First conducted in 1936, and since 1965, done every 5 years by the Gujarat Forest Department.
- Behavioural Aspects:
- Reproduction: Lions are polyoestrous with no fixed breeding season; females come into estrus every 16 days and remain fertile for 4–8 days.
- Territorial Marking: Lions roar and scent mark to declare territory; males often scrape the ground to carry their scent.
Population and Conservation Updates:
- Population Growth: From 2020 to 2025, the lion population rose 32% to 891.
- Female Increase: Adult females grew 27% to 330, indicating positive breeding trends.
- Habitat Expansion: Lions now inhabit nine satellite regions, including Mityala (32 lions) and a new corridor (22 lions).
- Range Growth: Lion territory expanded from 30,000 sq. km in 2020 to 35,000 sq. km in 2025 — a 16.67% increase.
- Project Lion (2025): A ₹2,900 crore mission to enhance habitats and create new protected areas within Gujarat.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: With more lions outside reserves, there’s a rise in livestock attacks, with a 10% annual increase in affected villages and a 15% rise in animals killed.
- Community Support: Despite risks, 61% of surveyed locals showed tolerance towards lions, underlining the need for community-based conservation.
| Back2Basics: International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) |
| [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:
1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season. 2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar. 3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking. Which of the statements given above are correct? Options: (a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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