891 Asiatic Lions Now in India, Focus Shifts to Habitat Safety

India’s conservation success story around the Asiatic lion has entered a new phase, with the population rising from 674 (2020) to 891 (2025) , according to information shared in the Rajya Sabha . Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said the growth reflects improved protection, veterinary support , and habitat management , along with the species’ natural expansion into newer areas of Gujarat .

Traditionally associated with the Gir landscape, Asiatic lions inhabit dry deciduous forests , thorn scrub , grasslands , and river corridors . Their core stronghold remains the Gir National Park , but in recent years lions have spread into forest divisions, coastal belts, agricultural fringes, and revenue wastelands across Saurashtra. This widening footprint signals both population pressure and ecological recovery, supported by prey availability and ongoing habitat improvement.

Despite this growth, all free-ranging Asiatic lions still live within Gujarat. There has been no relocation of wild lions to other states so far. Instead, authorities are strengthening multiple habitats within the state. The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is being developed as a second home , creating a satellite population and reducing pressure on Gir.

Experts caution that keeping the entire global population concentrated in one broad landscape carries serious risks. A disease outbreak could spread rapidly through a closely related population; past cases of canine distemper virus exposed this danger. Natural disasters such as cyclones, drought, or wildfire could affect many lions at once. As lions move into human-dominated areas, human–wildlife conflict may rise, while open wells, highways, and rail lines increase accidental deaths. Limited genetic diversity due to historical bottlenecks remains a long-term concern.

To address these threats, Gujarat has strengthened veterinary infrastructure, expanded disease surveillance , and improved habitats in newly occupied zones. Corridor management enables safe movement between sub-populations, while a hi-tech monitoring system at Sasan Gir tracks lions using radio telemetry.

The rise to 891 lions marks a major conservation milestone, but scientists stress that numbers alone do not ensure safety. The future of the Asiatic lion depends on spreading risk across habitats, maintaining genetic health, preparing for disease threats, and managing coexistence with people.