World Lion Day: Every year on August 10, World Lion Day is observed to highlight the importance of these majestic creatures and to garner support for their conservation. This day is also an opportunity to learn about the importance of lions in the natural world and the potential impacts of their extinction on humanity.
“On World Lion Day, I compliment all those working on Lion conservation and reiterate our commitment to protecting these majestic big cats. India, as we all know, is home to a large Lion population in Gir, Gujarat. Over the years, their numbers have increased significantly, which is great news”, wrote PM Narendra Modi on X.
Gujarat state in India is the only place outside of Africa where it is possible to witness lions in their natural habitat. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has designated the Asiatic Lion as an endangered species because of its limited population and constrained habitat.
The history of World Lion Day can be traced back to the decline of lion populations by approximately 80 per cent in the past century. This decline prompted the establishment of World Lion Day in 2013, with conservation enthusiasts Dereck and Beverly Joubert taking the lead. These individuals collaborated with National Geographic and initiated the Big Cat Initiative (BCI) in 2009 to safeguard and preserve the world’s remaining lion species.
Asiatic Lion Death In India
A total 555 Asiatic lions died in the last five years but there has been no increase in their mortality rate, the government told the Lok Sabha on Monday. The Gir forest in Gujarat is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion. According to government data, the number of these big cats in Gir rose from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020.
Replying to a question, Union Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey told the Lower House that 555 lions died in the last five years. He said 113 lions died in 2019, 124 in 2020, 105 in 2021, 110 in 2022 and 103 in 2023.