GROWING PRIDE

The Asiatic lion population is on the rise in Gujarat and its habitats are expanding, reveals the 16th Lion Population Estimation carried out in May. Spanning 35,000 sq. km, the survey also throws up sobering facts about challenges this upswing poses

- Text by JUMANA SHAH Graphic by TANMOY CHAKRABORTY

FINDING 1

While the lion count went up by 32.2 per cent since 2020, their distribution area expanded by just 17 per cent

WHAT IT IMPLIES

The capacity of wildlife sanctuaries is long exhausted.

Most prides now live in adjoining areas, near villages. If lion density increases beyond a point, the fine balance could become a casualty

FINDING 2