On the occasion of World Wildlife Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a lion safari at Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat’s Junagadh on Monday morning. He was accompanied by several ministers and senior forest department officials during the jeep safari and was seen capturing photographs of the majestic Asiatic lions.
PM Modi later shared pictures from his visit on X (formerly Twitter), reminiscing about his past efforts for wildlife conservation during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister (2001-2014).
He highlighted the steady growth of the Asiatic lion population over the years due to collective conservation efforts. He also acknowledged the crucial role played by tribal communities and women from surrounding areas in protecting the lions’ habitat.
In a separate post, PM Modi shared pictures of lions and lionesses from Gir and mentioned that he tried his hand at wildlife photography.
India’s Commitment to Wildlife Conservation
Earlier in the day, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s dedication to protecting wildlife and biodiversity.
A video accompanying the post showcased PM Modi’s recent jungle safari experiences.
National Board for Wildlife Meeting & Women Forest Staff Interaction
At Sasan Gir, the headquarters of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, PM Modi is set to chair the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). Following the meeting, he is also expected to interact with women forest staffers at Sasan.
Project Lion: Conservation of Asiatic Lions
The Centre has implemented Project Lion in Gir for the conservation of Asiatic lions, as Gujarat remains their only natural habitat.
The project aims to:
- Secure and restore lion habitats for better population management.
- Scale up livelihood opportunities and promote community participation.
- Develop India as a global hub for big cat disease diagnostics and treatment.
- Ensure inclusive biodiversity conservation.
The efforts have yielded positive results, with the Asiatic lion population in Gujarat steadily increasing:
- 2010: 411 lions
- 2015: 523 lions
- 2020: 674 lions
Additionally, the distribution area of lions expanded from 22,000 sq km (2015) to 30,000 sq km (2020).
PM Modi’s visit to Gir underscores the government’s commitment to wildlife conservation, reinforcing India’s role as a global leader in biodiversity protection.
Sources By Agencies
