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Asiatic Lion Translocation Plan

2023 MAR 29

Preliminary   > Environment and Ecology   >   Biodiversity   >   Species in news

Why in news?

  • The Indian government is re-examining the long-standing plan to translocate Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) from Gir National Park to Kuno National Park.

More about the News:

  • In 2013, the Supreme Court ordered the government to translocate Asiatic lions from Gujarat to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
  • However, the Centre's 25-year roadmap for Project Lion has no provision for any translocation outside Gujarat.
  • Instead, the focus is on assisted natural dispersal across Saurashtra by 2047.
  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has recently pointed out that the lion population increased by 29% over the past 5 years.
  • In view of the recent introduction of cheetahs in Kuno, NTCA is looking for measures to secure the lion’s future beyond Gir.

About Asiatic Lions:

  •  The Asiatic Lion also known as the Persian Lion or Indian Lion is restricted to India.
  • Its previous habitats consisted of West Asia and the Middle East before it became extinct in these regions.
  • Distribution:
    • Asiatic lions were once distributed to the state of West Bengal in east and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, in central India.
    • At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion.
  • Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions.
  • Protection Status:
    • IUCN Red List: Endangered
    • CITES: Appendix I
    • Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding Gir national Park:

1. It has the only wild lion population in Asia.

2. Lion population in Gir has declined consistently in last five years

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer