Forest Department to start Asiatic Lion census from today

The area will be surveyed with the ‘Direct Beat Verification’ method. In attempts for the conservation of the Asiatic Lions, the state government has instituted eco-development committees and organised regular nature and training camps as well as development of the habitat, leading to a gradual rise in the numbers of the lion population the census, conducted every five years, according to the statement.

The lion census was first held in 1936 with a recorded number of 287 lions as per the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Gujarat, Dr AP Singh. In 1995, 304 lions were reported while in 2001 and 2005, the number went up to 327 and 359. The count in 2015 — the last census — was 523 lions. The scheduled census in 2020 was not carried out due to the outbreak of the Covid19 virus but an estimated population of 674 was authenticated using the “Poonam Avlokan” (full moon observation) method.

According to the release: “The DBV technique, which has been in use for over three decades, provides almost a hundred percent accuracy and eliminates common errors in calculation and estimation.”

“The method is meant to be particularly effective in diverse terrains such as forests, grasslands, coastal areas, and revenue lands… During the census, the entire region will be divided into sectional units — regions, zones, and sub-zones — having a team each to record field observations in a systematic format including lion sightings, direction of movement, age, sex, and group dynamics.”

Modern technology will be incorporated into the lion census beginning Saturday, said sources. This includes high-resolution cameras, camera traps, radio collars for real time tracking, e-GujForest mobile app for on-site GPS-based data entry as well as the GIS software to create detailed habitat and movement maps.

The government statement said, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and guidance of Forest Minister Mulu Bera and State Minister Mukesh Patel, the Forest Department has intensified its conservation and habitat expansion efforts, thereby seeing the gradual increase in the numbers… The Asiatic lion is not only Gujarat’s pride but a symbol of India’s rich wildlife heritage. The lion is prominently featured in the “Make in India” campaign logo… The state has also initiated the development of Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as an alternative lion habitat.”