Environment and ecology
India has set an example in Lion conservation
▪ Population increase: 2025 census shows Asiatic lion numbers rose to 891 from 674 in 2020.
▪ Project Lion: Launched in 2020 & aim to secure Asiatic lions through habitat improvement and advanced monitoring with radio-collars and cameras.
▪ Asiatic lions are only found in India – Gir National Park and the surrounding Gir Forest in the state of Gujarat.
▪ Conservation leadership:
✓ India undertakes conservation for 5 of 7 big cat species.
✓ Asiatic lions found only in Gir, Gujarat.
✓ Tiger reserves increased from 47 to 58, hosting 70% of global tiger population.
✓ Snow leopard population in India: 714.
✓ Successful rehabilitation of African cheetahs.
✓ Projects: Project Lion, Tiger, Elephant, Dolphin, Great Indian Bustard.
▪ Global initiatives: Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), International Solar Alliance, International Big Cat Alliance
