On May 21, the Gujarat forest department announced the results of India’s first lion population count since 2020. The census revealed that the country’s wild lion population, found only in Gujarat, has grown by 32 percent in the last five years, reaching a total of 891 lions.
Conservation efforts have primarily focused on the Gir forest and its surroundings since the establishment of the Gir National Park and Sanctuary in 1965. Now, lions have expanded beyond these regions, establishing populations in 11 districts of Gujarat.
Notably, this census showed that there are more lions—497—living in nine satellite populations than in the core area of Gir, which has 394 lions. New populations have emerged in areas like Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Jetpur, and towns like Babra and Jasdan within Gujarat.
The census report has recognized Barda as a potential "second home" for lions, with both state and central governments supporting its development to host more lions. This aligns with the goals of Project Lion, a conservation initiative launched in March, which has a budget of approximately 341 million Indian rupees ($41 million).
However, experts warn that the rising lion numbers come with significant challenges, particularly regarding human-wildlife conflict. Recently, a lion tragically killed a five-year-old boy in Amreli district, highlighting the risks involved.
Counting the Lions
The Gujarat Forest Department used a detailed method for the lion population count, dividing the region into 735 areas and assigning enumerators to each section. During a marathon 48-hour recording period from May 11-13, lions were photographed and tallied, with care taken to avoid double counting.
However, conservation expert Yadvendradev Jhala expressed concerns about potential counting errors and the challenges of conducting such an extensive survey in a limited time. He and fellow wildlife biologist Ravi Chellam suggested that more reliable methods, such as using unique whisker patterns to identify individual lions, could improve future counts.
Despite these issues, Jhala believes the actual count is likely close to what was reported.
Reasons for Increasing Lion Numbers
Experts attribute the surge in lion numbers to favorable policies from the Gujarat government and the lions’ natural adaptability. As long as there is sufficient food and shelter and no attacks on them, the population is expected to continue growing. The government’s livestock compensation program has also helped maintain a balance, allowing villagers and lions to coexist peacefully.
Interestingly, areas like Bhavnagar district, which were once considered unsuitable for lions due to the environment, are now home to 212 lions. The thorny shrubs found along the coast provide the lions with daytime refuge while they hunt at night.
Capacity Concerns in Gujarat
Since 2010, Gujarat’s lion population has more than doubled, and their territory has expanded significantly. However, only a small portion of this area is protected, and about 45 percent of the lions are now located in non-forested areas, leading to increased risks of accidents and human-animal conflict.
Chellam points out the pressing question: how many more lions can Gujarat realistically host without risking more encounters with humans? As more lions wander into populated areas, the level of tolerance from local communities is increasingly important.
Impacts on Local Communities
Studies indicate a rising concern regarding human-lion conflicts in Gujarat. Since 2012, reports of livestock attacks have increased by 10 percent annually, with a 15 percent rise in livestock lost to lions.
Living alongside lions presents challenges for villagers. Parents are cautious about letting their children play outdoors, and livestock must be kept secure. While many view increased lion numbers positively, it raises valid concerns regarding safety for both people and wildlife.
Is Barda a Suitable Second Home?
The recent census confirmed that Barda Wildlife Sanctuary has established its own lion population for the first time since 1879. Nevertheless, experts like Chellam and Jhala question whether Barda can serve as a true second home, given its smaller size and the proximity to Gir, which limits its viability as a separate habitat for lions.
Translocation Challenges
One significant issue is why lions haven’t been moved outside Gujarat, a matter of great interest among conservationists. A Supreme Court order in 2013 mandated the translocation of some lions to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, which has supportive geography for lions. However, nearly a decade later, this order remains unfulfilled.
Jhala believes that the conservation community has not been effective enough in convincing the government of the necessity of this move, indicating a disconnect between policy and practical conservation needs.
Cheetahs vs. Lions
Recently, eight cheetahs were introduced to Kuno, prompting debates about whether this could further delay lion translocation plans. While some argue that the introduction of cheetahs complicates matters, Jhala asserts that lions and cheetahs can coexist, and their presence might even be beneficial to one another.
Future of the Big Cat
As lion numbers grow in Gujarat, experts emphasize the need for a broader conservation strategy that extends beyond the state’s borders. Jhala points out that while the situation is a conservation success story, there is still much more work to be done to ensure the lions’ future, including potential re-establishing populations in areas where they once thrived outside India. The concentration of lions in limited habitats poses risks and must be addressed to prevent potential crises in the future.
