Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife on World Wildlife Day, where he announced that the Asiatic lion population estimation would be conducted in May this year.
Earlier in the day, after a lion safari at Gir National Park, PM Modi attended the meeting in Sasan, located in Gujarat’s Junagadh district. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and other board members were also present.
At the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the National Referral Centre-Wildlife in Junagadh and announced that the 16th Asiatic lion population estimation would take place in May this year.
Notably, the Asiatic lion population saw a significant rise, reaching 674 in the 2020 census—a 29% increase from the 523 recorded in 2015.
PM Modi also announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management at SACON in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and unveiled a book on river dolphins.
The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), a statutory body advising the government on wildlife conservation, comprises 47 members, including the Chief of Army Staff, representatives from various states, NGOs, chief wildlife wardens, and state secretaries.
The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio chairperson of the NBWL, while the Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change acts as the vice-chairperson.
Following his safari, PM Modi shared a post on X highlighting the steady rise in the Asiatic lion population due to collective conservation efforts. He also praised the role of local tribals and women in preserving the lion’s habitat.
“This morning, on #WorldWildlifeDay, I went on a safari in Gir, home to the majestic Asiatic Lion. Visiting Gir brings back many memories of the work we did together when I was serving as Gujarat CM,” he wrote.
“In the last decade, the populations of tigers, leopards, and rhinos have also increased, reflecting our deep commitment to wildlife conservation and efforts to create sustainable habitats,” PM Modi said in another tweet.
The central government has sanctioned over ₹2,900 crore for Project Lion, aimed at conserving Asiatic lions, whose only natural habitat is in Gujarat, according to an official release.
Currently, Asiatic lions inhabit approximately 30,000 square kilometers across 53 talukas in nine districts of Gujarat, the statement added.
As part of a national initiative, a National Referral Centre for Wildlife is being developed on more than 20.24 hectares of land in New Pipalya, Junagadh district, the release stated.
