Project lion: Advancing Asiatic lion conservation and community engagement in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: On March 3, World Wildlife Day 2025, themed ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,’ underscores the critical role of sustainable funding in global conservation efforts.
Aligning with this vision, Project Lion stands as a transformative initiative dedicated to the conservation and expansion of the Asiatic lion population, ensuring their long-term survival through strategic habitat management and community participation. The project, along with Project Lion, Project Cheetah, Project Dolphin, Project Elephant, and Project Tiger, will be reviewed at the meeting of the National Board for Wildlife to be held on Monday at Sasan.
The foundation of Project Lion was laid on Independence Day on August 15, 2020, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address from the Red Fort, underscored the govt's commitment to securing the future of Asiatic lions through community involvement, technology-driven conservation, wildlife healthcare, proper habitat management, and human-lion conflict mitigation. The state has played a pivotal role in advancing conservation measures, ensuring that Project Lion aligns with Gujarat’s long-term vision for wildlife protection and sustainable development.
What is Project Lion? As per the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change letter dated November 2, 2022, a 10-year project with a total budget of ₹2,927.71 crore was approved. The initiative aims to ensure the well-being of Asiatic lions, whose population, according to the 2020 estimation, stands at 674 lions spread across 53 talukas in 9 districts, covering nearly 30,000 sq. km in Gujarat.
Besides, since the Barda sanctuary in the state has a settled population of 8 lions, it was planned to develop Barda sanctuary as a ‘second home’ for lions under this project. Recently, due to the natural spread and successful breeding of Asiatic lions in Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Barda has emerged as a second home for lions, and today 17 lions, including 6 adult lions and 11 cubs, reside in the Barda area.
Project Lion encompasses a wide range of strategies, including habitat and population management, wildlife health, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, local community participation, tourism development, scientific research, training, eco-development, and biodiversity conservation.
Strengthening Lion Conservation Efforts: New Beat Guards in 2024: To strengthen lion conservation, 237 beat guards (162 men, 75 women) were recruited in 2024. They patrol protected areas, prevent conflicts, and safeguard lion habitats.
Deployment of Rescue Vehicles: 92 rescue vehicles have been deployed for swift wildlife emergency response, rescue of wild animals, and ensuring timely medical care.
Machans for Farmers: To reduce human-wildlife conflict, 11,000 machans have been built, helping farmers protect crops while ensuring safety and coexistence with lions.
Parapet Walls on Open Wells: A key safety measure is the construction of parapet walls around 55,108 open wells to prevent wildlife falls, reducing fatalities and protecting both animals and water sources.
Major Initiatives Under Project Lion: Wildlife Health & Monitoring: The Government of India has approved a National Referral Center for Wildlife Health, with 20.24 hectares of land allocated in New Pipaliya, Junagadh District. Work on the center's boundary wall is currently in progress.
High-Tech Conservation Measures: A high-tech monitoring center and a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital have been established in Sasan to monitor wildlife in the Gir region.
Mass Public Participation: On World Lion Day, under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, more than 11,065 institutions and approximately 18.90 lakh students and individuals actively participated in awareness programs.
Railway Safety Measures: To prevent lion accidents on railway tracks in the Greater Gir region, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been developed in collaboration with railway authorities, significantly reducing such incidents.
The launch of Project Lion marks a historic moment in India's conservation journey. With Gujarat leading the way, the initiative will ensure the long-term survival and well-being of Asiatic lions, solidifying India’s position as a global leader in wildlife conservation.