The Project Lion is being implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat. The Project envisages landscape ecology-based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating conservation and eco-development. The Project Lion document titled ‘Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal’ has been prepared with the following objectives:

1. To secure & restore lions’ habitats for managing its growing population
2. Scale up livelihood generation and participation of local communities
3. Become a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment
4. Inclusive biodiversity conservation through project lion initiative.

The population of Asiatic Lions is showing an increasing trend. As informed by the State Government of Gujarat, the details of the population of Asiatic Lions over the years are as under:

Asiatic Lion is categorized as ‘Endangered’ according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species upgraded from ‘Critically Endangered’ category in 2008 due to the efforts taken for conservation and protection of Asiatic Lions resulting in increase in their population over the years.

As informed by the State Government of Gujarat, the allocation of funds for protection of Asiatic Lions during last three years is as under:

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

*****

VM

(Rajya Sabha US Q1022)