Gujarat State Government has decided to set up a high level task force to observe and study the growing habitat of Asiatic Lions in the state. The recent report states that the population of lions has been increased outside the protected area of Gir National Park and Sanctuary.  The main objective of the task force is to prepare a report about growing habitat of lions outside the sanctuary and give recommendation and measures to reduce man-animal conflicts.

According to the 14th lion census, the lion population has increased to 523, which was 411 in the 2010 census. The Gir sanctuary is spread across 1,412 sq kms. The census report of 2015 showed that the habitat area of the lions has increased to around 22,000 sq kms.

The Committee will look on all the possible ways to save the Asiatic Lions from becoming extinct.

Tidbits

• The Asiatic Lion is also referred as Persian Lions.
• It is a lion subspecies that exists as a single population in India’s Gujarat state.
• It is listed as Endangered by IUCN due its small population size.

GK Questions

• What is the full form of IUCN? International Union for Conservation of Nature.
• For the Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project, the researchers have confirmed which sanctuary as most promising? Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.