In the past Sasan Gir was considered the only abode of Asiatic lions. However, the primary estimate ahead of the ongoing final census of lions revealed that the big cats have strayed all across the Saurashtra region and their habitat has expanded from 10,000 sq km to 22,000 sq km during the last five years. According to researchers involved in the high-tech census, the lion population has probably increased by nearly 18 per cent compared to the numbers given in the 2010 census. “As per the primary estimate, the count of Asiatic lions may easily surpass the 480-mark compared to 411 five years ago,” said a senior forest official, adding that the exact number of lions will be revealed by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Saturday.
According to researchers, apart from Junagadh district where the Gir forest is situated, the lions were also found in adjoining Amreli and Bhavnagar districts. “As per our estimate, lions have strayed to Gir Somnath, Rajkot, Botad and Morbi areas. A dense population of lions is believed to be in liliya, Rajula and Pipavav port area in Amreli district,” they said. They added that this data should prompt the State Forest Department as well as Indian Railways to keep vigil on a railway line passing through this area towards Pipavav port, as in the last one year, seven lions were killed in train accidents. Surveillance needs to be enhanced to avoid such incidents in the future.
“It will be interesting for the experts to study why the lions prefer areas outside Gir forest and in the proximity of urban settlements,” said a wildlife expert from Dehradun, who joined the census exercise. This is the 14th census by the forest department after Independence. Compared to the 2010 census when 960 revenue villages were covered, the 2015 census is covering 1,502 revenue villages. It means the major part of the census exercise will take place outside the Gir forest, rather than inside the forest.
These villages include 760 from Junagadh and Gir Somnath districts, 260 of Amreli district, 200 of Bhavnagar and Botad district and the rest from Porbandar, Jamnagar and Rajkot districts. Apart from the 252 sq km area of Gir National Park, 1,153 sq km of Gir Sanctuary, 39 sq km of Mitiyala Sanctuary, 19 km of Pania Sanctuary, the 2015 lion census covers 480 sq km of protect forest surrounding Mount Girnar on the outskirts of Junagadh town and 20,058 sq km of revenue areas.