Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Sunday lions in the Gir forest were safe and they would not be relocated.
Earlier in the day, the Forest Department started the vaccination of lions in the Gir sanctuary to protect them from a deadly virus blamed for the death of some of the big cats.
As many as 23 lions have died in the sanctuary in less than a month. Most of them have succumbed to canine distemper virus (CDV) and protozoa infections, forest officials had said.
"The situation in Gir is under control and the lions are completely safe in the forest. The state government is sensitive and committed towards the conservation of lions in the State, and lions will not be relocated," Rupani told reporters at Bilkha in Junagadh district where the Gir forest is located.
The lions, an endangered species, are being vaccinated under intensive veterinary care and as per standard protocol, officials said on Sunday.