Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani has expressed pride over the steady rise in the population of Asiatic lions, which are found only in Gujarat.

As per an official statement, Nathwani said, “It is a matter of great pride for all of us that the number of Asiatic lions found only in Gujarat is gradually increasing. According to the official announcement made by the Gujarat government, the number of lions in the recently conducted lion census has reached 891. Earlier, lions were found only in the areas around Sasan Gir, Junagadh, and Dhari, but now their range has increased significantly and has reached Amreli, Jafrabad, Diu, and Pipavav Port. Moreover, lions, which previously lived only in forest areas, have now started living in coastal areas as well.”

“The conservation efforts made by the state government and the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi have played a major role in the increase in the number of lions in Gujarat. The Project Lion document titled ‘Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrit Kaal’, presented by the Central Government, has identified 21 different lion corridors to support the growing lion population. This initiative focuses on managing and protecting the increasing number of lions, and it is expected that Gujarat’s lion population will continue to rise significantly in the future. The government’s efforts to rehabilitate lions in the forests of Barda and create a new habitat for them are also commendable,” he added.

Parimal Nathwani is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Gir Sanctuary and National Park, as well as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.