What’s the Rs 2,900-crore Undertaking Lion that PM Modi reviewed throughout go to to Gir?

On World Wildlife Day, India’s Gir forest has 674 causes to roar with satisfaction—one for every of its Asiatic lions, the final of their type within the wild.

On March 3, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the formidable Rs 2,927 crore Undertaking Lion, a large-scale initiative designed to guard and develop the Asiatic lion inhabitants.

To mark the event, PM Modi launched into an journey safari by way of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, positioned in Junagadh, Gujarat—his dwelling state. He was accompanied by state ministers and senior forest officers, taking within the sights of the huge deciduous forest.

At present, on #WorldWildlifeDay, let’s reiterate our dedication to guard and protect the unbelievable biodiversity of our planet. Each species performs a significant position—let’s safeguard their future for generations to come back!

We additionally take satisfaction in India’s contributions in the direction of preserving… pic.twitter.com/qtZdJlXskA

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2025

However what precisely is Undertaking Lion, and the way will it assist preserve the large cats of their final abode? Right here’s a more in-depth look.

Excessive-tech hospital, drones & extra

A key a part of Undertaking Lion is the institution of a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital in Sasan, Gir, which can operate because the Nationwide Wildlife Illness Diagnostic Centre, reviews The Hindustan Occasions.

This facility will play a key position in monitoring and stopping ailments like Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and Babesia, which have threatened
lions in 2018 and 2020. With superior medical infrastructure, it is going to guarantee well timed analysis and therapy, strengthening conservation efforts.

Past healthcare, the venture will even increase lion safety and surveillance within the jungle. Sources concerned in its growth, revealed to The Occasions of India, plans for drone monitoring, CCTV surveillance at forest entrances and exits. They will even have 33 speedy response models, and 100 new tracker positions for lion rescue.

The seeds of Undertaking Lion have been first sown by PM Modi throughout his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2020, when he spoke about the necessity to defend and develop India’s Asiatic lion inhabitants for whom Gujarat is the one abode.

Carrying that imaginative and prescient ahead, the Ministry of Surroundings, Forest, and Local weather Change, in a letter dated November 2, 2022, accredited a 10-year conservation plan with a funds of Rs 2,927.71 crore.

Additionally learn:
On World Wildlife Day, PM Modi undertakes Safari tour of Gir forest | See pics

A second dwelling for the large cats

With the
Asiatic lion inhabitants rising in Gir, Undertaking Lion goals to develop Barda Dungar Wildlife Sanctuary, positioned about 100 km west of Gir, as a “second dwelling” for the species.

For years, the Gujarat Forest Division has been working to determine new habitats for Asiatic lions, whose numbers stay closely concentrated in and round Gir.

As per the 2020 census, the state is dwelling to 674 lions, marking a 29 per cent improve from the 2015 rely. Amongst them, there are 206 males, 309 females, and 130 cubs, with Gir alone housing practically 400 lions, in response to The Guardian.

Conservationists have lengthy pushed for the growth of lion habitats past Gir, warning that protecting them in shut proximity makes them extra susceptible to illness outbreaks and useful resource competitors.

In January 2023, the efforts to determine new habitats received a big increase when a lion was noticed in
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary—the primary such sighting since India’s Independence. This strengthened the idea that Barda might maintain a thriving lion inhabitants.

Based on the Wildlife Institute of India, the Barda-Alech hills and coastal forests have the potential to assist round 40 grownup and sub-adult lions. Undertaking Lion will prioritise bettering the habitat on this space to make it extra appropriate for the large cats. To this point, the world inhabits 17 lions, together with six adults and 11 cubs.

Lions and lionesses in Gir! Tried my hand at some pictures this morning. pic.twitter.com/TKBMKCGA7m

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2025

“A serious portion of the funds for Undertaking Lion might be in the direction of habitat administration,” an official conscious of the matter informed The Hindustan Occasions. This contains growing the prey base and inspiring the voluntary resettlement of human settlements inside protected areas to scale back human-wildlife battle.

To assist coexistence, the federal government has supplied 11,000 machans (raised platforms) for farmers to allow them to defend their crops with out direct confrontation with lions. Moreover, the venture goals to revive round 1,000 sq. kilometres of unique lion habitat by relocating Maldhari settlements exterior Gir’s Protected Areas, with monetary incentives and help from the state authorities.

Extra lion properties in India?

Undertaking Lion doesn’t cease at Gir and Barda—it additionally contains plans to determine further websites each inside Gujarat and past to boost genetic range and make sure the long-term survival of Asiatic lions.

Based on an official cited by the Occasions of India, the venture proposes the creation of eight new satellite tv for pc habitats in Saurashtra, together with Umath Virdi in Bhavnagar, Gir, Girnar, Mitiyala, Jesor-Hipawadi, Babra Virdi, Hingolgadh, and the coastal stretch from Rajula to Jafrabad as much as Mahuva. These areas have been recognized as frequent lion places and might be additional developed as potential habitats.

To assist this, Undertaking Lion contains efforts to boost protected areas by planting fruit-bearing bushes to draw prey species like nilgai.

As a part of the initiative, PM Modi additionally chaired a gathering with the Nationwide Board for Wildlife (NBWL) at Gir to debate Undertaking Lion. He will even talk about different main conservation efforts, together with Undertaking Tiger, Undertaking Cheetah, Undertaking Elephant, and Undertaking Dolphin.

A senior authorities official informed the Hindustan Occasions that each one 47 members of the NBWL will take part within the assembly.

The NBWL is India’s apex physique for wildlife conservation and policymaking beneath the Wildlife Safety Act, 1972. It’s accountable for guiding wildlife safety insurance policies, approving tasks affecting ecological areas, and evaluating environmental clearances. The board consists of 47 members, together with the Union Minister of Surroundings, Forest and Local weather Change (Vice-Chairperson), 19 ex-officio members, and 27 nominated specialists in wildlife conservation, ecology, and environmental sciences.

With enter from companies