Gir has 359 Asiatic lions

In what will bring cheer to wildlife lovers, the just concluded census of the Asiatic lion shows that the population of the Asiatic lion has risen by 32 to reach 359 over the previous census carried out in 2000.

This is also the highest ever recorded number of Asiatic lions at the Gir sanctuary in Gujarat, the only home of the Asiatic lion in the world.

Briefing the media in Gandhinagar on Thursday, state chief minister Narendra Modi said: "The state has not only arrested the trend of dwindling of the lion population, but has reversed it. In fact it is a matter of pride for the state, that this census has put the number as the highest ever recorded," Modi said.

There are 11 lions at the Gir Interpretation Zone and there could be around 10 lions left out in the census, added Modi.

Refuting reports that live bait had been used during the census, carried out between April 21 and 28, Modi said that the practice was used several years ago, not during the current census.

"We decided to adopt the most scientific method of observation and live bait has not been used in the census work," the chief minister said.

Replying to a question on poaching, the chief minister said, " In the last three years, not a single case of poaching has been reported from the Gir sanctuary."

In reply to another question on lions moving out of the sanctuary limits, Modi said, "The territory under the sanctuary is not small, but still we are adding more areas under the sanctuary."

Modi declined to take a stand on the demand by Madhya Pradesh, which sought Asiatic lions from Gujarat.

He said, "It would be best for experts on wildlife to discuss this issue. As of now, there are two groups of experts who have different opinions. One section feels that the population of the Asiatic lion will increase if it is taken elsewhere, while the other section of experts feel that for centuries, the Gir sanctuary has been the home of the Asiatic lion and this should not be tampered with."

Modi said, "An additional 40 square kilometres have now been included in the sanctuary and experts feel that there is no problem of paucity of space for the lions. Otherwise their population would not have increased."