Asiatic lions roar louder in Gujarat: Population rises from 674 to 891 in 5 years, says new census

Asiatic lions (PTI photo)

Gujarat has seen a rise in the population of Asiatic lions that has increased to 891 now from 674 in June 2020, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced on Wednesday.

According to a census conducted in the month of May, the estimated population of Asiatic lions has increased to 891. In the previous census conducted in June 2020, the big cat population in the state was estimated at 674.

The 16th Asiatic lion census, a four-day exercise, was conducted from May 10 to 13 in two phases, covering an area of 35,000 square kilometres across 11 districts, news agency PTI reported.

While a preliminary census was conducted on May 10 and 11, the final population count was done on May 12 and 13 with the help of 3,000 volunteers including regional, zonal and sub-zonal officers, enumerators, assistant enumerators and inspectors, said an official release.
The 11 districts where lions are found are Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Amreli, Porbandar and Botad.

Asiatic lions, a sub-species, are only found in the Gir national park and surrounding districts in Gujarat.