Population of Gir lions rises by 29%; kudos to people of Gujarat, says PM

Participation of the local population has helped, and habitat has improved

The population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat's Gir forest has increased by almost 29 per cent, according to a report released by the state.

Participation of local community has helped in increasing Asiatic lion population in Gujarat's Gir forest, a senior environment ministry official said on Wednesday.

Soumitra Dasgupta, Inspector General, Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, said a land project initiated in 2018, which is in the midst of implementation, will further help in the conservation and protection of Asiatic lions in the state.

The species is doing excellent and the number is going up. Participation of