Saving Asia's Pride

A study conducted on the man-animal interactions as Asiatic lion numbers increase in Gir National Park and its adjoining areas.

- Sree Nandy

THE SETTING: LION-TALES

Large carnivore populations are a rarity and saving them is a key conservation directive. Sadly, these mighty and fierce predators are among the most vulnerable, their existence being dictated by extraneous factors like their prey base, habitat and human interfaces. Being possibly the most charismatic and the least elusive representative in this category, Asiatic lions have always enjoyed a lion’s share of our mind share and also happen to be the focal point of our study.

Gir National Park today holds its pride of place as the only refuge of the charismatic Asiatic lions. The turnaround of the majestic lions, once down to double digits, will go down as one of India’s most successful conservation stories. However, in this picture-perfect narrative of exemplary human-animal coexistence and efficacy of the forest administration, there are unanswered questions. Lion numbers might touch 600 soon and Gir PA cannot cradle them all. The king and his clan have stepped out years ago in pursuit of new homes, their need for a protein-rich diet in direct disagreement with the interest of live stock-owning communities. Amidst reports of kills, conflicts and compensations, the situation is delicately poised, with locals still putting up a resilient front towards their Lion Gods. But what happens when the scale tips, maybe in another ten years from now? How long before the local reverence changes to retaliation? How do lions find undisturbed homes in a state driven by infrastructural growth and burgeoning population? Can Gujarat create a suitable second refuge for the lions? Does the answer to a new home lie beyond Gujarat?