Environment and Ecology.
India’s lion population risen by 32%
▪ India’s lion population, exclusively concentrated in Gujarat, has risen by 32% between 2020 and 2025, with 891 lions reported,
▪ according to a report from the Gujarat Forest Department The number of adult females – a proxy for future growth – rose by 27% to 330 individuals.
▪ the highest number of lions – 394 – have been observed in the Gir National Park and Paniya Wildlife Sanctuary
▪ In March, Prime Minister approved Project Lion, a ₹2,900-crore project to improve lion habitat and develop new habitat within Gujarat.
▪ From 2015 to 2020, the territorial range of the lions extended to 30,000 sq. km, reflecting a 36.4% growth. By 2025, the area reached 35,000 sq. km, registering a 16.67% increase.
Survey records 397 wetland bird species in Tamil nadu
▪ A total of 397 bird species were recorded in the wetland bird survey, while 401 species were
identified in the terrestrial bird survey this year, according to the synchronised bird survey report released by Forests Minister during the inaugural of International Biodiversity Day events on Thursday.
▪ The wetland survey revealed that 397 species are directly or indirectly associated with wetlands. Notably, 136 long-distance migratory species were observed, making up 34% of the total species recorded.
▪ Key bird species observed in wetlands include the Greylag Goose, Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Curlew, Pied Avocet, and Lesser Crested Tern. Surveys were conducted across 934 wetland sites, with all forest divisions instructed to cover approximately 20 locations per district.
▪ In terms of species richness, the districts of Coimbatore, Erode, and Dindigul recorded more than 200 species each.
1,093 places covered
▪ The terrestrial survey covered 1,093 locations across urban, rural, and protected areas, again aiming for around 20 spots per forest division.
Here’s the English translation of the Tamil text:
▪ Hostel Construction
▪ Bird Census – First Phase
✓ Wetland areas: 934
✓ Wetland bird species: 397
✓ Total bird count: 5,52,349
▪ Bird Census – Second Phase:
✓ Land areas: 1,093
✓ Land bird species: 401
✓ Total bird count: 2,32,519
▪ Areas with Maximum Bird Counts:
✓ Thiruvarur: 70,356
✓ Ariyalur: 59,569
✓ Nagapattinam: 33,622
✓ Sivaganga: 26,326
✓ Chennai: 24,048
