Project Lion- Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal” to Secure and Restore Lions’ Habitats

Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal UPSC Relevance

Project Lion document: it envisages landscape ecology based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat.

Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal is important for UPSC Prelims 2023 and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 3- Conservation and Protection of Wildlife in India).

Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal in News

• The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, informed that the Project Lion document titled “Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal” has been prepared.

Project Lion

• About: Project Lion envisages landscape ecology based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating conservation and eco-development.
• Objectives: Project Lion has following objectives to-
  • Secure & restore lions’ habitats for managing its growing population;
  • scale up livelihood generation and participation of local communities;
  • Become a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment and
  • Create inclusive biodiversity conservation through project lion initiative.
• Implementation: Project Lion is being implemented by the State Government of Gujarat and other stakeholders like Central Zoo Authority.
• Scope: The Project is being implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat which is the last home of the Asiatic lion.

Project Lion Funding

• Financial assistance of Rs. 124.58 lakhs have been provided to State of Gujarat for conservation of wildlife including Asiatic Lions under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)- ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ during last three years.
• Further, revalidation of Rs 1641.42 lakhs of grants released during 2018-19 under the Asiatic Lion Conservation project has also been done during the period.
• The State Government of Gujarat has submitted the Utilization Certificate for the funds released as Central share under Asiatic Lion Conservation project.

Project Lion and Project Tiger

• Project Tiger is being implemented in tiger landscapes spread across the country in 53 tiger reserves.
• Both projects (Lion and Tiger) envisage activities which ensure overall conservation of the entire ecosystem inhabited by these flagship species.

ASIATIC LION

• The Asiatic Lion (also known as the Persian Lion or Indian Lion) is a member of the Panthera Leo Leo subspecies that is present in India.
  • Earlier it was also inhabited in West Asia and the Middle East before it became extinct in these regions.
• Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions.
• Distinctive feature always seen in Asiatic lions is a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly.
• It is one of five pantherine cats inhabiting India. Others are:
  • Bengal tiger
  • Indian leopard
  • Snow leopard
  • Clouded leopard

Conservation STATUS of Asiatic Lion

• Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
• Appendix I of CITES
• Endangered on IUCN Red List
• At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion. In 2020, the Gujarat Forest Department announced an increase in the population of Asiatic lions in the Gir forest region.

 THREATS to the survival of Asiatic Lions

• Its vulnerability to unpredictable events such as a plague or a natural disaster, poaching and locals near the Gir National Park killing the lions in retaliation for attacks on livestock.

Project Lion FAQs

1. What is Project Lion?

Ans. Project Lion envisages landscape ecology based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating conservation and eco-development.

2. What is the Conservation status of Asiatic Lion in the IUCN Red List?

Ans. Asiatic Lion in the IUCN Red List is listed under Endangered Category.

3. Who is implementing the Project Lion?

Ans. Project Lion is being implemented by the State Government of Gujarat and other stakeholders like Central Zoo Authority.

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