ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.
ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024
News: According to the Gujarat forest department, the Asiatic Lion population in Gir national park has increased by 29% in the past five years — from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020.
Facts:
- Characteristics: Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions.The most striking morphological character is a longitudinal fold of skin running along the belly of Asiatic Lions.
- Habitat: At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion.
- IUCN Status: Endangered
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule-I
- Threats: a) Poaching and Habitat Fragmentation b) vulnerability to diseases c) death from linear infrastructure such as road, rail and electric fences and d) man-animal conflict.
- Initiatives: Asiatic lion conservation project was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to protect and conserve the Asiatic Lion.It is a 3 year-long conservation project.It focuses on disease management, habitat improvement, creating a wildlife crime cell among others.
Additional Facts:
- Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary: The Gir National park was established in 1965.It is situated in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.It is part of the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests Ecoregion.
