Asiatic lion conservation success threatened by single-site population vulnerability
India's Asiatic lion conservation is a success story, with numbers increasing significantly, but the species remains vulnerable due to its confinement to a single population in Gujarat's Gir forest. Scientific consensus, supported by the Wildlife Institute of India and a 2013 Supreme Court judgment, mandates establishing a second, geographically separate population to mitigate risks from epidemics, natural disasters, or prey decline. Despite the Kuno National Park being prepared for translocation, Gujarat has resisted the move, creating a policy impasse. This delay risks turning a global conservation triumph into an ecological vulnerability.
Key Points
- The Asiatic lion population, despite its growth, remains vulnerable due to being confined to a single habitat in Gujarat's Gir forest.
- Scientific bodies and the Supreme Court have advocated for establishing a second, geographically separate population for resilience.
- Gujarat has resisted the translocation of lions to Kuno National Park, creating a policy impasse.
- Concentration in one area increases risks from diseases, natural disasters, and limited genetic diversity.
Exam Facts
- Asiatic lion population increased to approx. 891 today.
- Supreme Court judgment of April 15, 2013, directed translocation to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
- The 2018 Canine Distemper Virus outbreak killed several lions.
- Project Lion (2020) aims to expand lion habitats.
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.