Once Asiatic lions had widespread distributed from the Middle East to India. In the 18th century they were found across northern India. Unfortunately trophy hunting by Maharajas killed a majority of these majestic animals. By early 20th century there were hardly a dozen of them in the wild, driven to the brink of extinction by hunting, habitat loss and droughts. 1904 was the year when a conservation movement to protect the Asiatic lions was started by the Nawab Mahabat Khanji of Junagadh. In his province, the Nawab banned trophy hunting. But after his death hunting continued. As per the record of the Chief Forest Officer, Junagadh, there were only less 20 Asiatic lions in the Gir forest, in 1913.

From less than 20 to 523 is a sign of revival, but still a long tough journey to get to the flourishing level. Currently the main threat is that the Gir is the only single population of Asiatic lions in the wild. Two hill systems, which comprise dry deciduous forest, thorny forest and savannah, this remaining forests of the Gir and Girnar of Gujarat is the last home of Asiatic lions.

Asiatic lions are territorial animals. A male lion requires around 50 square km and a female around 26 square km. Illegal mining is drying the rivers in the region, which is forcing the lions to migrate to the costal areas. Around 40% of the total lions now live outside the forest area. Number of road kills are increasing. There are more than 20,000 open wells around farmlands, which shares the borders of the forest. These open wells are another major death trap for Asiatic lions. Many have fallen into these wells and died. Farmers using hi-voltage electric fencing to protect crops from grazing animals are a threat to them too.

In 1994, an epidemic killed more than a 1,000 lions in a span of few days in the Serengeti. If something like that happens in the Gir, it will be irreversible disaster for this magnificent animal. Growing human population and related issues like illegal encroachment, deforestation, illegal mining, cattle grazing, natural calamities, human-wildlife conflict, collection of fire wood, forest fire, poaching, tourism, religious pilgrimage, the list of threats are very long.

Photos by: Mona Patel

Awareness programs for nearby communities and involving them in conservation activities goes a long way in reducing man-animal conflicts. Community members can be trained for the roles of wildlife guards or guides, providing them an alternative source of income, which helps to keep them away from activities that lead to danger to the lions. This also leads to cultivating an in-depth relationship with nature and a sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of the animals that share this earth with us.

Systematic and regular activities should be initiated among local communities for building awareness. The aim should be to gradually change the present feeling of fear and hatred to love, ownership and the role of protectors.

Build walls for open well to reduce accidents.

Alternative solutions that work as eco-friendly replacement for electric fencing around farmlands to avoid accidents.

Increase the number of artificial water sources for animals, which can reduce their migration to non-forest areas during droughts and summer season. Permission should be denied for construction of roads and railways through the conservation areas.

Strict restriction for human activities inside the forest can reduce human wildlife conflicts.

Frequent awareness programs in schools and educational institutes starting from primary classes on sustainable living, recycling and eco-tourism will help to develop a more eco-friendly earth loving community believing in co-existence.

Increasing the number of trained staffs for patrolling activities to prevent poaching and monitor the parks.

Photos by: Mona Patel