Project Lion

Launched in 2020 during PM Modi's Independence Day speech, Project Lion is a 10-year, ₹2,900 crore government initiative dedicated to conserving and expanding India's Asiatic lion population. 

This comprehensive, landscape-based program, similar in spirit to Project Tiger, employs scientific interventions, fosters community participation, and promotes sustainable habitat development.

The world's sole wild population of Asiatic lions resides in Gujarat's Gir Forest National Park. 

Despite ongoing conservation efforts, these majestic big cats face persistent threats from habitat loss, disease outbreaks, and human-wildlife conflicts, making Project Lion crucial for long-term survival.


Basic Facts


  • Launched on – 2020.
  • Aim – To secure the Asiatic lions through comprehensive, long-term conservation efforts.
  • Duration – 10 years.
  • Scientific name of the Asiatic Lion – Panthera leo persica.
  • Also known as the Persian Lion or Indian Lion.
  • Largest no. of Lions are found in – Gujarat.
  • No. of Lion protected areas in India – 5.
    • Gir National Park
    • Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
    • Pania Wildlife Sanctuary
    • Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary
    • Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Largest Lion Habitat in India – Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat).
    • Location – Junagadh district of Gujarat.
    • Declared a sanctuary in 1965 and a national park in 1975.

  • Total no. of Asiatic Lions in India – 891 (as of 2025) 
    • No. of Adult Male Lions – 196.
    • No. of Adult Female Lions – 330.

  • District in Gujarat with a large no. of Lions – Amreli district (257 lions).
  • Habitat – Dry deciduous forests, scrublands, and open grassy areas.
  • A group of Lions is called – Pride.
  • Protection Status of Asiatic Lions – 
    • IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Vulnerable.
    • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
    • CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora): Appendix I.
    • Included under the Species Recovery Programme.

  • International Lion Day / Global Lion Day – August 10.
  • International Lion Day was observed for the first time in – 2013.

Objectives of Project Lion


The main objectives of Project Lion are as follows:

  • Habitat Conservation and Restoration: To protect and improve the existing lion habitats, especially in the Gir landscape of Gujarat, and identify and secure additional areas for their growing population.
  • Population Management: To manage the increasing lion population, including considerations for potential future dispersal or reintroduction to new areas.
  • Wildlife Health and Disease Management: To become a global hub for research, diagnostics, and treatment of big cat diseases. This includes establishing facilities like the National Referral Centre for Wildlife Health (NRC-W) in Junagadh, Gujarat, to track wildlife diseases and prevent outbreaks.
  • Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation: To reduce conflicts between lions and human communities living in and around lion habitats. This involves measures like building parapet walls around open wells to prevent accidental falls, constructing 'machans' (elevated platforms) for farmers to protect their crops, and involving local communities in conservation efforts.
  • Community Participation and Livelihood Generation: To actively involve local communities in conservation by providing livelihood opportunities through eco-tourism, promotion of local art and handicrafts, and homestays, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for lion protection.
  • Scientific Research and Monitoring: To utilize advanced technologies like GPS-based tracking, automated sensor grids, and GIS-based real-time monitoring to study lion behavior, population dynamics, and habitat use, informing effective management strategies.
  • Eco-development and Biodiversity Conservation: To integrate lion conservation with broader eco-development goals, ensuring the overall health of the ecosystem and protecting the rich biodiversity of the region
Project Lion is considered a transformative effort that balances ecological preservation with sustainable development, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the long-term survival and thriving of the Asiatic lion in India.


2025 Lion Census


The 16th Asiatic Lion Census (2025) has revealed a remarkable success story for India's conservation efforts, with the population soaring to 891 lions, a significant 32.2% increase from 2020.

This census, conducted using advanced methods like direct beat verification and technologies such as GPS tracking and AI-driven software, found lions dispersed across 35,000 sq km in 11 districts of Gujarat.

Notably, over 57% of the lions now reside outside traditional protected areas, including a new population in Barda Wildlife Sanctuary.

This growth underscores the effectiveness of initiatives like Project Lion, though it also highlights the increasing need for strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflict as their range expands.


SideNotes:


  • World Wildlife Day 2025 – March 3.
    • Theme – Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet
  • Cabinet Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change – Bhupender Yadav.
  • Chief Minister of Gujarat – Bhupendra Patel.
  • Current Governor of Gujarat – Acharya Devvrat.

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