The Asiatic lion population in Gujarat's Gir national park has taken a sudden rise in contrast to the rapid decline in Africa, reports Hindustan Times. The rare species is found only in Africa and Gir.
“We have registered a robust growth in our lion population from 411 in 2010 to 523 now, which means a growth of 27%,” Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said.
The better news is that 213 of those 523 were cubs as the effect of a rapid rise in the baby boom in the Gir stretching around 22,000 square km. Several factors contributed to their decline in numbers including hunting and environmental changes in the last decade or so.
The national park stretches across 8 districts in Saurashtra region with Amreli acting habitat to more lions.
“There are 268 lions in Junagadh district, 44 in Somnath, 174 in Amreli and 47 in Bhavnagar. The highest growth rate has been seen in Amreli district,” Patel added.
“Lions are found only in Africa and Gujarat. The African population dwindled almost 80% from around 200,000 to less than 30,000 over the past century. We have protected and conserved our lions from extinction,” said Sandeep Kumar, deputy conservator of forest, Gir national park.
The news has given more reason to cherish for the nation as the tiger population also saw a considerable increase during last counting.
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