The regal beast today stands as a lone sentinel of a forgotten empire, its last stronghold nestled within the emerald embrace of Gujarat’s Gir jungles
Updated On – 15 March 2025, 08:07 PM
By N Shiva Kumar
Once the mighty Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) roamed vast lands, from the sun-kissed shores of Greece to the mystical deserts of the Middle East and the vast grasslands of the Indian subcontinent. Today, this regal beast stands as a lone sentinel of a forgotten empire, its last stronghold nestled within the emerald embrace of Gujarat’s Gir jungles. Here, the lion’s roar still echoes through the rugged landscape, a testament to its survival against the odds.
These lions are more than mere symbols of strength; they are living legends, immortalised in ancient Indian temples where stone-carved manes ripple like flames frozen in time. The Indian lion’s prominence extends beyond myth and culture—it was admired even during the years of British rule in the Indian subcontinent, with sculptures and carvings adorning grand entrances and palatial residences. Yet, paradoxically, both the Maharajas of princely States and British bureaucrats hunted these creatures mercilessly, decimating their numbers in the name of valour and vanity.
A curious lion sits attentively, gazing directly with keen interest at the cameraman.
The Sarnath Pillar, erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, remains an enduring symbol of India’s heritage. Its crowning glory, the exquisitely carved Lion Capital, now serves as India’s national emblem, embodying strength, courage, and composure. However, despite this reverence, Asiatic Lions were pushed to extinction. By the early 1900s, their numbers dwindled to a mere dozen relegated to a tiny landscape in India. However, systemic conservation helped them revive slowly but surely.
The number of lions has risen to 674 (as of the 2020 survey), a beacon of hope amid the shadows of uncertainty. However, with survival tethered to a single sanctuary, their fate hangs by a fragile thread. A factsheet presented in the Gujarat Assembly on 4 March 2024, revealed that 286 lions and 456 leopards had died in the State over the past two years, underscoring the challenges of conservation in a confined habitat.
A grand pride of lionesses and a cub rest peacefully in the cool shade of the trees at Gir National Park.
Leonine Encounters
My first face-to-face encounter with a mating pair of lions happened in the summer of 2007 and again in the winter of 2008 within Gir’s dry deciduous forests. I returned in 2010 during the Global Bird Watchers’ Conference in Jamnagar, and again in 2014. My most recent visit in 2023 revealed an intriguing shift — more leopards were visible than lions within the national park. Fortunately, prey in the form of deer, antelopes, wild boar etc is adequate to satiate the lions’ hunger, and so are the water resources to quench their thirst.
Beyond the regal Asiatic lions, Gir is home to a staggering 2,375 distinct species of fauna. Indian leopards slink through the undergrowth, while striped hyenas prowl under the moonlight. The sanctuary also shelters marsh crocodiles, jackals and a dazzling variety of birds — over 300 species, including serpent eagles, paradise flycatchers and Indian pittas. The rustling of leaves and distant calls of unseen creatures create a symphony of life, where every step unveils a new wonder.
A female lion typically lacks a mane, but her prominent whiskers stand out so does her keen acumen to kill prey with ambush.
The Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses a total area of 1,412 square kilometres spread across three districts in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region. It is 170 km from Rajkot, 226 km from Jamnagar and 327 km from Ahmedabad with good road connectivity. This ancient forest tells a story of resilience and survival.
Gir stands as an emblem of successful wildlife conservation. This sanctuary, fiercely protected and carefully monitored, has not only safeguarded the lions but also bolstered ecotourism, creating jobs and spreading awareness about the delicate balance between man and nature. The concentrated presence of lions allows for meticulous health monitoring, tracking breeding patterns and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. As symbols of Gujarat’s pride and resilience, these lions enjoy strong political will and financial backing, further reinforcing their protection.
Threats of Singular Haven
Yet, triumph and vulnerability often walk hand in hand. The very sanctuary that has nurtured the lion’s resurgence now poses an existential dilemma. Confined to a single region, the lions face the threat of disease outbreaks, such as the 2018 canine distemper virus (CDV) epidemic, which claimed multiple lives. With limited genetic diversity, inbreeding risks weaken their disease resistance, reduce reproductive success and threaten the species’ long-term viability.
A majestic adult lion strides confidently, its long mane flowing and ears alert, while its distinctive belly fold displays gracefully.
As the population grows, Gir’s resources are stretched thin. Prey becomes scarcer, forcing lions to venture beyond the safety of the forest into human settlements, leading to tragic conflicts. Livestock predation fuels human-wildlife tensions, and retaliatory killings, though controlled, remain a concern. Moreover, territorial disputes among male lions result in deadly infighting, while railway lines and roadways pose additional threats in the form of road kills. Though poaching has been largely curbed, it remains a lurking danger.
Sustainable Conservation
The Gir Sanctuary has scripted a remarkable chapter in conservation history, but the story is far from complete. To ensure the lion’s survival, efforts must extend beyond Gir’s borders. Translocation initiatives and alternative habitats are essential to mitigate the risks of disease, genetic stagnation, and space constraints. The roar of the Asiatic lion should not remain confined to a single refuge — it must reclaim a broader, safer dominion.
Translocation: A Promise Unfulfilled
For decades, wildlife experts have championed the translocation of Asiatic lions as a critical strategy to safeguard them from disease outbreaks and genetic stagnation. The Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was chosen as the perfect second home — its landscape carefully restored, its ecosystem meticulously prepared, its villages cleared to make way for the lions’ arrival. Yet, despite clear directives from the Supreme Court, the initiative remains paralysed by bureaucratic inertia and political resistance. The time for delay has passed. This is not a matter of convenience; it is a matter of survival.
While on the hunt, the lions work together with precision and power to chase down their prey.
Translocation cannot remain a theoretical solution confined to government files. It must be executed with urgency and precision. Protected habitats must be expanded. Disease surveillance must be rigorous. Local communities must be engaged and empowered. Above all, the genetic diversity of this species must be preserved. The future of the Asiatic lion is more than a conservation effort — it is a national responsibility, a testament to India’s commitment to protecting its rich natural heritage.
India stands at Crossroads
Will it lead the world in wildlife conservation, or will it gamble with extinction? The lions of Gir cannot afford hesitation. “It’s like a life insurance policy; we do not take an insurance policy expecting to die, but we do so to protect against unexpected events. Similarly, a second home will provide protection against extinction for the free-ranging Asiatic lions, which are an integral part of India’s unique and diverse natural heritage,” asserts Dr Ravi Chellam, a veteran wildlife ecologist who has spent decades studying these majestic big cats. At present, the CEO of Metastring Foundation and Coordinator of the Biodiversity Collaborative, Dr Chellam warns that inaction is a death sentence.
A fully grown adult male lion is a regal sight to behold, with its luxurious, flowing mane exuding power and elegance.
The Asiatic lion’s story is one of resilience against overwhelming odds. Yet, securing its future demands more than half-measures. Conservation must extend beyond Gir, guided by foresight, adaptability and an unwavering commitment to protecting these iconic predators for generations to come. The time to act is now. Do we wait for Asiatic lions to vanish — whether by natural decline or human-induced threats — only to replace them with imported African lions, as we did with the cheetah? says Sharad Khanna the CEO of Indian Wildlife Adventures. Indeed, a strong point to ponder.
(The author is an independent journalist and documentary wildlife photographer)