The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has initiated a dedicated programme titled the “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project”. This project, approved for a course of three years from 2018 to 2021, is primarily focused on the conservation of the Asiatic Lion – an endemic species to the Gir landscape of Gujarat. This lion species is among the 21 critically endangered classes identified by the Ministry for recuperation efforts.
The Scope of the Asiatic Lion Conservation Project
A primary aspect of this project is adopting a “Species Conservation over a large landscape” approach. The overall vision of the scheme centres around scientific management, with active community involvement in collaboration with multi-sectoral agencies. This collaboration is set out to control diseases and provide veterinary support, crucial for the overall preservation of the Asiatic Lion.
Large Landscape Conservation
Another critical element of the project is large landscape conservation. Such a style of conservation pertains to measures taken across massive areas ā for instance, entire watersheds. It typically includes numerous forest divisions, government entities, and conservation organisations. In the context of the Asiatic Lion Conservation Project, all efforts will concentrate on the Asiatic lions in the entire Gir Range, considering that this species is exclusively found in the Gir Landscape.
Implementation of Modern ICT in Conservation Efforts
Application of modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) forms a significant part of the conservation strategy for the Greater Gir Region. This plan will involve GPS-based tracking, such as Surveillance Tracking, Animal Tracking, and Vehicle Tracking. Other additional ICT initiatives will be in place:
– An automated sensor grid utilising magnetic sensors, movement sensors, and infrared heat sensors.
– Enhancement of night vision capabilities.
– Implementation of GIS-based real-time monitoring, analysis, and report generation.
| Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule 1, CITES Appendix I, IUCN Red List: Endangered |
| Appearance | Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions. Males have moderate mane growth at the top of the head, making their ears always visible. |
| Distribution | Asiatic lions were once found from West Bengal in the east to Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, in central India. However, today, Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is their only habitat. |
About the Asiatic Lion (Panthera Leo Persica)
The Asiatic lion, or Panthera Leo Persica, significantly differs from its African counterpart. This lion is somewhat smaller, and males showcase only moderate mane growth at the head’s top, thereby making their ears always visible. The most prominent morphological characteristic, which is unique to Asiatic lions, is a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly. This feature is rarely seen in African lions.