The Crossbill News Desk
At least 286 lions, including 143 cubs, have died in Gujarat over the past two years, state Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera informed the legislative assembly on Tuesday (March 4).
The minister also revealed that 456 leopards, including 140 cubs, died during the same period. The data was shared in response to a question raised by Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar during Question Hour, news agency PTI reported.
Among the total lion deaths, 121 were reported in 2023, while 165 occurred in 2024. Of these, 58 were due to unnatural causes such as road accidents, drowning in open wells, and railway track incidents. In the case of leopards, 225 died in 2023 and 231 in 2024, with 153 of these deaths linked to unnatural causes.
The revelation came just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gir Wildlife Sanctuary to mark World Wildlife Day, where he participated in a lion safari.
Gujarat is home to the world’s only population of Asiatic lions, primarily concentrated in the Gir forest, but concerns over rising lion deaths have grown in recent years.
Responding to these concerns, Bera informed the assembly that the state government has taken several measures to prevent unnatural wildlife deaths.
He highlighted the deployment of veterinary doctors, the installation of speed breakers and signboards on roads near forests, and the introduction of ambulance services and regular forest patrolling, reported PTI.
The government has also initiated the construction of parapet walls around open wells to prevent accidental drowning and has fenced railway tracks near the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary to reduce train-related fatalities. Additionally, lions are being radio-collared to monitor their movements more effectively.
To further address the issue, the Gujarat High Court had earlier ordered speed restrictions on trains passing through lion habitats, Hindustan Times reported.
In response, the state government has allocated Rs 40 crore in the Gujarat Budget 2025-26 to mitigate railway accidents involving lions. The forest department is also setting up a command-and-control unit to monitor wildlife activity and prevent frequent lion deaths on railway tracks through technological interventions, Gujarat Samachar reported.
With conservation efforts being intensified, experts continue to stress the need for comprehensive measures to ensure the long-term survival of Gujarat’s endangered Asiatic lions.
The minister also revealed that 456 leopards, including 140 cubs, died during the same period. The data was shared in response to a question raised by Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar during Question Hour, news agency PTI reported.
Among the total lion deaths, 121 were reported in 2023, while 165 occurred in 2024. Of these, 58 were due to unnatural causes such as road accidents, drowning in open wells, and railway track incidents. In the case of leopards, 225 died in 2023 and 231 in 2024, with 153 of these deaths linked to unnatural causes.
The revelation came just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gir Wildlife Sanctuary to mark World Wildlife Day, where he participated in a lion safari.
Gujarat is home to the world’s only population of Asiatic lions, primarily concentrated in the Gir forest, but concerns over rising lion deaths have grown in recent years.
Responding to these concerns, Bera informed the assembly that the state government has taken several measures to prevent unnatural wildlife deaths.
He highlighted the deployment of veterinary doctors, the installation of speed breakers and signboards on roads near forests, and the introduction of ambulance services and regular forest patrolling, reported PTI.
The government has also initiated the construction of parapet walls around open wells to prevent accidental drowning and has fenced railway tracks near the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary to reduce train-related fatalities. Additionally, lions are being radio-collared to monitor their movements more effectively.
To further address the issue, the Gujarat High Court had earlier ordered speed restrictions on trains passing through lion habitats, Hindustan Times reported.
In response, the state government has allocated Rs 40 crore in the Gujarat Budget 2025-26 to mitigate railway accidents involving lions. The forest department is also setting up a command-and-control unit to monitor wildlife activity and prevent frequent lion deaths on railway tracks through technological interventions, Gujarat Samachar reported.
With conservation efforts being intensified, experts continue to stress the need for comprehensive measures to ensure the long-term survival of Gujarat’s endangered Asiatic lions.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment