Gujarat has reported a substantial 32% rise in its Asiatic lion population, taking the total number of these majestic big cats to 891 in 2025, up from 674 in 2020.
This surge underscores both the success and the complexity of large carnivore management in a densely populated and rapidly developing state.
The latest count conducted by the Gujarat Forest Department shows that over 500 lions — a majority — are now residing outside the core protected zones of Gir National Park and Paniya Wildlife Sanctuary. This trend of territorial expansion into the broader Saurashtra landscape marks a pivotal shift in the distribution of the species and reflects how conservation policies have extended beyond the traditional sanctuary model.
Crucially, the number of adult females — a critical demographic indicator for sustainable growth — has increased by 27%, reaching 330. The data also accounts for 196 males, 140 sub-adults, and 225 cubs, painting an encouraging picture for the long-term survival of the species.While the lion continues to thrive in its native home, this success brings new challenges. With 497 lions now established across nine satellite populations — including Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Babra-Jasdan, Jetpur, and even newly recorded corridor regions — the interface between human habitation and wildlife territories is growing closer. For the first time, a population of 22 lions has been confirmed in a recognised corridor area, while Mityala Wildlife Sanctuary has seen its numbers double to 32 since 2020.
This proximity has increased the likelihood of human-wildlife conflict, particularly incidents involving livestock predation. Although affected communities are receiving compensation, conservationists caution that such coexistence requires delicate balancing. Experts have long argued for the creation of additional habitats — whether within or outside Gujarat — where lions can thrive with minimal human contact.
The state’s ambitious ₹2,900 crore ‘Project Lion’, greenlit earlier this year, aims to not only improve existing habitats but also develop new safe zones, enhance prey availability, and implement advanced monitoring and health-care mechanisms. These steps are crucial in securing a future for the species in a climate-vulnerable and increasingly human-dominated landscape.Though Gujarat remains a global model for lion conservation, the need to decentralise the population has become more urgent. India has the ecological capacity to support up to 2,000 lions, but only if strategic planning ensures that natural expansion does not outpace habitat readiness or social acceptance.
As India works toward more equitable and sustainable urban and rural ecosystems, the story of Gujarat’s lions offers a unique lens into the complex interdependencies between biodiversity, land use, and human development. Ensuring that these animals continue to roam safely in the wild may well depend on whether our conservation models evolve alongside the animals they aim to protect.
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