The increasing population of lions and the corresponding human and industrial expansion have increased man-animal conflict in Gir. Everyone agrees that the Lions need to move on. Can it be outside Gujarat where things are stuck
date of issue: May 15, 2023 , Updates: May 5, 2023 11:27 AM IST
Catwalk: A lioness crosses the road in Liliya village of Amreli district in the Greater Gir region, while villagers walk by oblivious to her presence. (Photo: Rajan Joshi)
TeaThe growing population of Asiatic lions in Gir has been a wildlife success story over the years. The irony is that this triumph of conservation has now become somewhat of a burden. The last habitat of the species has seen a steady increase in the number of Asiatic lions over the last five decades. They increased from 284 in 1990 to 674 as per 2020 census. But human population, industrialization and urbanization have also increased together, leading to an inevitable human-lion conflict that is proving increasingly harmful to both lions and humans. Lions have also become victims of deadly diseases like canine distemper virus due to their confinement in the same geographical area.