India's Conservation Efforts Prevented Lions From Extinction

The first Green Status Assessment (GSA) for the lion (Panthera leo) acknowledged India's conservation efforts, which have been instrumental in preventing the species from facing extinction.

- JITENDRA CHOUBEY @New Delhi

It's particularly significant since lion populations elsewhere globally are largely facing depletion.

The report highlighted that human activity is largely hindering the lion's ability to function ecologically across its historical range. The species is declining in many regions and has already become extinct in North Africa and Southwest Asia.

On a positive note, the assessment revealed that conservation measures have successfully prevented potential extinctions in regions such as West and Southern Central Africa, South Africa, and India.

The report emphasized the need for intensified efforts to maintain the existing lion population, especially as human settlements continue to expand into their natural habitats.

Dr Barney Long, Senior Director of Conservation Strategies for Re:wild, noted, "The example of the lion demonstrates the value of the additional Green Status data. We now have information on where local extinctions were likely prevented due to conservation efforts, which can inform future strategies to protect and recover the species."

The Green Status of Species complements the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a leading authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to protect it.