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The king (Asiatic Lion) surveys his lands in Gir Sanctuary as a Lion Population Estimation – 2025, in Sasan, is happening in Gir on May 12, 2025. Photo : VIJAY SONEJI / THE HINDU.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
The results of the 16th lion population estimation announced on Wednesday show that the population of endangered Asiatic Lions in Gujarat has risen by 32.2 percent to 891 in the last five years.
“The total lion population increased from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025 with an overall growth of 217 individuals (32.20 per cent),” states the results of the lion population estimation.
This exercise was announced during the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sasan-Gir on March 3, 2025.
These 891 lions were recorded at a total of 358 locations spread in seven districts of Saurashtra peninsula of Gujarat.
Of these, 55.78 percent of the lion population were found in forested areas, while 27.61 percent were found residing in wastelands, 9.88 percent in agricultural areas, 5.16 percent in riverines areas, 1.23 percent in build-up areas and 0.34 percent near human habitation.
The current population estimate includes new satellite populations in Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Jetpur and adjoining areas and Babra-Jasdan and adjoining areas increasing the total number of Asiatic lions in satellite populations to 497 across nine satellite populations.
Amreli district holds the highest population of lions in the Asiatic Lion Landscape, including 82 adult males, 117 adult females, 22 sub-adult males, 35 sub-adult females, 04 unidentified sub-adults, and 79 cubs (02 males, 10 females, 67 unidentified).
For the first time the lion population in the corridor area has been recorded with a population of 22 individuals. The lion population has increased by 70.36 per cent in the past decade (523 in 2015 vis à vis 891 in 2025), whereas the area of distribution has increased by 59.09 per cent.
The spatial distribution of Asiatic lions has shown a steady increasing trend over the years. From 1990 to 1995, the area increased from 6,600 sq. km to 10,000 sq. km, a rise of approximately 51.5 per cent.
Between 1995 and 2001, the distribution expanded to 12,000 sq. km, marking a 20 per cent increase. By 2005, it reached 13,000 sq. km, showing an 8.3 per cent rise over the previous estimate.
A more substantial expansion occurred between 2005 and 2010, with the area growing to 20,000 sq. km, an increase of 53.8 per cent.
In 2015, the spread rose further to 22,000 sq. km, a 10 per cent increase. From 2015 to 2020, the range extended to 30,000 sq. km, reflecting a 36.4 per cent growth.
Finally, by 2025, the area reached 35,000 sq. km, registering a 16.67 per cent increase over the 2020 figure. This progressive expansion demonstrates a consistent range of growth supported by conservation efforts and natural lion dispersal, the report on the estimation added.
Published on May 21, 2025
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