Why Having More Lions Could Be A Worry For India, What Does The 2025 Census Say? Explained
An increase in lion population could pose significant challenges in terms of human-wildlife conflict, habitat constraints, and ecological sustainability
A 'lion census' was conducted in Gujarat's Gir National Park and surrounding areas after nearly five years, which showed the population of big cats has risen more than 30% since 2020.
But the survey has also highlighted a worrying phenomenon about growth in lion numbers outside the core zone.
Let us understand how a lion census is conducted in India, what are the challenges of a growing lion population and what is the government's future conservation programme.
How Is A Lion Census Conducted?
The lion census is conducted through Direct Beat Verification (DBV) or block count, a primary method used since 2000. It divides the census area into smaller units called 'beats" (forest areas) and 'clusters" (3-10 villages outside forests).
Enumerators count lions based on direct sightings, focusing on water points where lions gather during the dry season (April-May) to drink at least once every 24 hours.
The DBV is cost-effective, less-time consuming and adaptable to technology, with new-zero statistical error due to structured data collection.
'Observations of direct sightings were recorded in the prescribed forms, including the characteristics of each individual. Digital cameras were used to capture photographs to aid individual identification. The cross-verification with adjacent sampling units, sub-zones, zones, and regions helped ensure accuracy and remove the duplication," the 16th Lion Population Estimation report noted.
Nearly 3,245 people were involved in the exercise, the report noted.
The latest survey was undertaken from May 10-13, spanning around 35,000 sq km, covering 11 districts and 58 tehsils. The region was divided into 735 sampling units and each sampling unit had an enumerator and two assistants, ensuring thorough survey and data collection.
The population of wild lions in India rose by 32% from 2020-25, with 891 lions reported in the last survey. The number of adult female lions increased by 20% to 330 lions.
Most of the lion population is concentrated in Gir, but the current estimate also included new satellite populations.
As per a Hindu report, lions were spotted at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Jetpur, Babra-Jasdan and adjoining areas, increasing the total number of Asiatic lions in satellite populations to 497 across nine such regions.
There is an estimated increase of 70.36% in the population in the past decade (523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025), whereas the area of distribution has increased by 59.09%, the report noted.
Amreli district reported the highest population of 339 lions. This was followed by the Gir-Somnath district region (222 lions) and Junagadh (191 lions).
How An Increase In Lion Population Can Be A Challenge?
An increase in lion population could pose significant challenges, particularly in terms of human-wildlife conflict, habitat constraints, and ecological sustainability.
Increase in Human-Animal Conflict: More lions mean more preying on livestock, causing economic losses for farmers. In 2023, Gujarat reported 1,200 livestock attacks annually, with compensation costs rising to Rs 20 crore yearly. Human injuries and rare fatalities (e.g., three deaths in 2019) fuel local resentment, despite lions' generally non-aggressive nature toward humans.
Habitat Constraints: Gir National Park and its sanctuaries (Girnar, Mitiyala, Pania) cover 1,400 sq km, but the lion population's density (4-5 lions per 100 sq km in Gir) exceeds optimal carrying capacity. This forces sub-adults to disperse into satellite areas, up to 100 km away, where habitat quality is lower. Fragmented corridors will expose lions to roads, railways and human settlements.
Limited Genetic Diversity: The 2018 canine distemper virus (CDV) outbreak killed 23 lions, and babesiosis in 2020 claimed others. The small gene pool increases susceptibility to diseases. A 2020 study by the Wildlife Institute of India found low genetic variation, making the population vulnerable to epidemics like CDV.
How To Mitigate Challenges?
Experts advocate relocating lions to other states like Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, to reduce Gir's pressure and create a second population for genetic resilience.
The Supreme Court had nearly 12 years ago set a six-month deadline for shifting lions from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh, and seven years since Gujarat assured the apex court that this order would be implemented.
Since the initial launch of 'Project Lion' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020, seven sites, including three each in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, for relocation, have been identified.
But the government told the Supreme Court in 2022 that the suitability of a new habitat for lions was limited to potential sites only within Gujarat.
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As per the project, the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary within Gujarat will be developed. The sanctuary is already hosting a substantial population of 17 lions. Other plans include involving communities in tourism and creating greater incentives for conservation.
Scaling up awareness campaigns to educate villagers on lion behaviour and safety could help conserve lion's population. Community-led patrols, as piloted in Amreli, can deter lions from villages.
First Published:
May 26, 2025, 13:55 IST
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