Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 11:15am on 10 Aug 2025,Sunday India
On World Lion Day, India celebrated a 32% rise in the population of Asiatic lions, now numbering 891, up from 674 in 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited community participation, especially tribal and women forest officers for the conservation success in Gujarat’s Gir forest, the only natural habitat of these lions. However, concerns persist as 669 lions have died in the past five years due to illness, accidents, and old age, with no poaching reported. Experts warn that over 48% of lions now live outside protected zones, increasing risks. Calls for translocation to alternate habitats like Barda Wildlife Sanctuary remain unfulfilled, raising questions about long-term sustainability and preparedness for ecological threats. (PC: X)
