Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel Announces 16th Lion Population Census Results

Gandhinagar : Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel proudly announced the remarkable news that Gujarat is now home to 891 Asiatic lions, as per the findings of the 16th Lion Population Estimation. The CM stated that the latest count includes 196 males, 330 females, along with a significant number of cubs and young lions.
 
The State Government’s Forest Department conducts lion population estimation every five years using the Direct Beat Verification (Block Count method). This year, the exercise was carried out from May 10 to 13 across 35,000 square kilometres, covering 58 talukas in 11 districts. A total of 3,854 personnel, including forest staff, sarpanches, and local villagers, actively participated in this large-scale initiative. While announcing this, the CM was joined by Forest Minister Shri Mulubhai Bera, Minister of State Shri Mukesh Patel, Chief Secretary Shri Pankaj Joshi, and Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri M.K. Das.

The Chief Minister shared that during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister, the traditional method of counting the lion population was replaced by Total Count by Direct Sighting at Block System approach. On the 74th Independence Day, the Prime Minister launched Project Lion, focused on the long-term conservation and protection of lions. Aligning with this vision, the recent National Wildlife Board meeting held in Gujarat offered strategic guidance for the future roadmap of Project Lion 2047. The CM mentioned that the Prime Minister’s commitment to lion conservation will be further reinforced and successfully realised through this initiative.
 
The Chief Minister noted that the increase in the lion population is a result not only of favourable geographic and climatic conditions but also of the state government’s consistent and dedicated efforts in wildlife conservation. The lion population rose from 327 in 2001 to 359 in 2005, 411 in 2010, 523 in 2015, 674 in 2020, and has now reached 891. He also highlighted the extensive use of modern technology in the population estimation process. Digital cameras and camera traps were used to capture photographs for identifying individual lions, while some lions were fitted with radio collars to monitor their movements and those of their groups.

In addition, the e-gujforest application was used for real-time data entry of lion observations, with GPS locations and photographs enhancing both accuracy and efficiency. GIS software helped delineate survey areas and create detailed maps to monitor lion movements, distribution patterns, and habitat use. Additionally, AI-based software was employed as needed to identify individual lions from photographs.
 
At the beginning of the event, Principal Secretary of Forests and Environment Shri Sanjeev Kumar explained how the Forest Department applies a three-tier count method combined with real-time tracking to accurately estimate the lion population. Also present on the occasion were Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of the Forest Force Dr. A.P. Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Jaypalsinh, along with senior officials from the Forest Department.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat