Bhupender Yadav: ‘Separate free-ranging Asiatic Lion population under consideration, states are being consulted’

The Union Environment Ministry has stated that establishing a separate free-ranging population of Asiatic Lions is under active consideration, with consultat...

What Happened

The Union Environment Ministry has stated that establishing a separate free-ranging population of Asiatic Lions is under active consideration, with consultations ongoing with relevant state governments.
The announcement came in the context of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026, at which India showcased its Asiatic Lion conservation model.
The 16th Asiatic Lion Census (May 2025) recorded 891 lions in Gujarat — a 32.2% increase from 674 in 2020 — the highest population since modern census records began.
Over 44% of lions (507 individuals) now reside outside traditional protected areas, including non-forested areas, raising the urgency of a second, geographically distinct habitat to guard against disease outbreaks or natural disasters wiping out the single-site population.
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat is being developed as an alternate habitat to facilitate natural dispersal, while the long-debated translocation to Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) remains contentious.

Static Topic Bridges

Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) — Conservation Status and Single-Population Risk

The Asiatic Lion is a sub-species of lion once widespread across West Asia and South Asia but now confined to a single population in and around the Gir forest ecosystem in Gujarat. Its sole geographic concentration makes it uniquely vulnerable to a single catastrophic event — an epidemic, flood, or wildfire — eliminating the entire taxon.

IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable (revised in 2024, upgraded from Endangered, reflecting population recovery)
Only wild population: Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Pania Wildlife Sanctuary, and surrounding areas in Saurashtra, Gujarat
Population trend: 177 (1968) → 411 (2010) → 523 (2015) → 674 (2020) → 891 (2025)
Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — highest level of legal protection; hunting, poaching, and trade are strictly prohibited
Listed under Appendix I of CITES — international commercial trade is banned

Connection to this news: The rising population and spread outside protected areas highlight both conservation success and the growing need for a second geographically separate population to reduce single-point-of-failure risk.

Project Lion

Project Lion is a centrally sponsored initiative announced in 2020 to secure the long-term future of the Asiatic Lion. It is implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat.

Focus areas: habitat improvement and restoration, advanced monitoring (radio-collaring, camera traps, GPS), disease management, human-wildlife conflict mitigation
Aligned with India's broader Project Big Cat commitments under the IBCA framework
India hosts five of the world's seven big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Cheetah

Connection to this news: The proposal for a separate free-ranging population is a logical next step under Project Lion's long-term roadmap, going beyond Gir-centric conservation.

Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project and the Kuno Controversy

India's Supreme Court in 2013 directed the Centre to translocate some Asiatic Lions from Gir to Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) to create a second wild population. The order has remained largely unimplemented.

Kuno National Park: Located in Madhya Pradesh; between 1998–2003, around 1,650 villagers from 24 villages were resettled to make way for lion habitat — a major preparatory investment
The Centre's 25-year roadmap for Project Lion has no explicit provision for translocation outside Gujarat
In 2022, Kuno became the site for the Cheetah Reintroduction Project (African Cheetahs from Namibia), further complicating the lion plan
The current proposal for "states consultation" suggests a multi-state approach may be under consideration beyond the Kuno-Gujarat binary

Connection to this news: The statement about consulting states signals a potential policy shift, possibly opening options beyond Kuno for creating a second Asiatic Lion population.

Constitutional and Legal Framework for Wildlife Conservation

Article 48A (Directive Principles of State Policy): The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife
Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duties): It is the duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: The primary legislation; Schedule I species receive the highest protection with the most severe penalties for violations
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: Provides the overarching framework for environmental regulation
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: Regulates diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes

Connection to this news: Any decision to establish a second lion habitat outside Gujarat would require compliance with multiple laws — land acquisition or forest diversion would need approvals under WPA and FCA.

Key Facts & Data

Current Asiatic Lion population (2025 census): 891 (all in Gujarat)
Population outside protected areas: 507 (56.9% of total)
Gir National Park & adjoining sanctuaries: 394 lions (core population)
Census conducted across ~35,000 sq km, 58 talukas, 11 districts in Gujarat
IUCN status: Vulnerable (upgraded from Endangered in 2024)
Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act 1972 — highest legal protection in India
CITES Appendix I — international trade banned
IBCA (International Big Cat Alliance): Launched by India in 2023 at New Delhi, covers 7 big cat species across 97 range countries
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat): Being developed as natural dispersal site / alternate habitat
Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh): Longstanding but unimplemented translocation site; now also hosts reintroduced cheetahs