Asiatic Lion and Gir National Park
What is the News?
- A dedicated project for conservation of Asiatic Lion with a contribution of Rs 97.85 Cr from Centre to be spent over 3 years launched
- A dedicated“Asiatic Lion Conservation Project” with a budgetary contribution of Rs 97.85 Cr from Central Government was launched.
- With a view to strengthen the conservation initiatives, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change(MoEFCC) approved the project for three financial years(2018-2021).
- Asiatic Lion, being listed in Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to be accorded the highest degree of protection.
About Asiatic Lion
- Asiatic lion (Panthera leo leo) also called as Indian lion and Persian lion.
- Its range is restricted to the Gir National Park and environs(surroundings) of Gujarat.
- On the IUCN Red List it is listed as Endangered because of its small size and area of occupancy.
Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project
- It is an initiative of the Indian Government to find an alternative habitat for Asaitic Lion.
- To save Asiatic lion from extinction in the wild by means of reintroduction.
Gir Forest National Park (Sasan Gir)
- It is a forest and wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat.
- It is the only wild habitat supporting the Asiatic lion.
- Gir is dry deciduous forest dominated by teak.