Gandhinagar– Gujarat will conduct a large-scale lion population census in May, marking the first comprehensive and scientific count of Asiatic lions in the Saurashtra region since 2015.
The survey will span approximately 35,000 square kilometers—covering about 3,400 villages and forested areas across 58 talukas in 11 districts—an expansion from the 30,000 square kilometers covered in the last full census. The increase in coverage reflects the lions’ growing range, which has expanded by nearly 5,000 square kilometers over the past decade, underscoring both successful conservation efforts and the species’ natural dispersal.
Official figures highlight a steady rise in Gujarat’s lion population over the years. In 1995, the population stood at 304. By 2015, it had grown by 72% to 523. A rapid assessment conducted in 2020—using the less rigorous full-moon observation method during the COVID-19 pandemic—estimated the population at 674, a 28% increase in five years. The upcoming census aims to provide a more accurate count and deeper ecological insights.
This year’s census will return to the globally recognized Block Count Method, also known as the Direct Beat Verification Method, widely regarded as the gold standard for assessing large carnivore populations. This method is expected to yield more precise data on the population size, distribution, and habitat utilization of the lions.
The census operation will involve nearly 3,000 personnel, including beat guards, foresters, forest rangers, senior officers, wildlife experts, and trained volunteers. These will be organized into 650–700 teams across 8 regions, 31 zones, 110 sub-zones, and 3,400 village beats.
To prevent double-counting, high-resolution cameras will be deployed at the sub-zonal level to capture lions from multiple angles. The initial phase of the census will be conducted from 2 p.m. on May 10 to 2 p.m. on May 11, with the final count scheduled from 2 p.m. on May 12 to 2 p.m. on May 13.
The results of this comprehensive survey are expected to play a crucial role in guiding future conservation strategies for one of India’s most iconic and endangered species. (Source: IANS)
