Gujarat To Conduct Lion Census From May 10; 3,000 Volunteers Will Participate In Counting

The Gujarat Forest Department has announced that the 16th Asiatic Lion Population Census will be conducted from May 10 to 13. This large-scale estimation exercise, held every five years since it began in 1936, will cover an area of 35,000 square kilometers across 11 districts and 58 talukas of Saurashtra. The survey is carried out to monitor the population and health of Asiatic lions, aiding in their conservation and management. 

The state government has stated that nearly 3,000 trained volunteers, including regional, zonal, and sub-zonal officers, will participate in the census. These teams will survey areas where lion sightings have been reported over the past decades.

The census will use the ‘Direct Beat Verification’ method, which has been in use for more than 30 years. This method allows for effective tracking in forests, grasslands, coastal zones, and revenue areas. According to the government, the method ensures nearly 100 percent accuracy and minimizes the margin of error. During the census, volunteers will record details such as the time of observation, direction of movement, sex, age, identifying marks, GPS location, and group composition of the lions observed in their assigned areas. 

The state government has been consistently working to conserve the Asiatic lion population. Efforts include forming eco-development committees at the village level, appointing wildlife volunteers, conducting regular nature education camps, and closely monitoring the biodiversity of the Gir region. The last census, held in 2020, recorded 674 lions. In 2001, the population was 327, which grew to 359 in 2005. It further rose to 411 in 2010, and then to 523 in 2015. The number of lions is expected to increase again this year.