Gandhinagar: In a concerning revelation, Gujarat’s Forest Minister informed the State Assembly that 286 lions and 456 leopards have died across the state in the past two years. The data, tabled in response to a legislative query, has once again raised alarm over wildlife conservation efforts in the state.
The deaths were attributed to natural causes, territorial fights, accidents, diseases, and human-animal conflict, according to the minister’s statement.
Gir’s Pride at Risk?
Gujarat is home to the world’s only wild population of Asiatic lions, with Gir National Park acting as their primary habitat. The loss of 286 lions in two years — a significant number given their total population stands at around 674 as per the 2020 Lion Census — is raising serious questions about the effectiveness of conservation measures.
Wildlife activists have expressed concern, stating that even though natural mortality is expected, the cumulative death toll is unusually high for a species already classified as endangered.
Leopards Facing the Heat Too
Alongside lions, 456 leopards were reported dead in the same period. Leopards, known for their adaptability, are increasingly coming into conflict with human settlements due to shrinking forest cover and habitat fragmentation. Cases of leopards straying into villages and falling prey to poaching, accidents, or retaliatory killings have been on the rise, the minister’s data indicated.
Causes of Death
The Forest Minister listed a variety of reasons behind these wildlife fatalities, including:
- Natural deaths due to age-related factors
- Intra-species fights, especially in overcrowded territories
- Infections and diseases
- Road and rail accidents
- Poisoning and electrocution in conflict zones
Experts Demand Better Protection Strategy
Conservation experts argue that complacency in habitat management and insufficient veterinary infrastructure might be aggravating the situation. Several recommendations, including expanding lion habitats beyond Gir and creating safe wildlife corridors, have been proposed repeatedly but implementation remains slow.
“This is a wake-up call. We cannot afford to lose so many apex predators in such a short period. It reflects gaps in both habitat management and emergency response mechanisms,” said a senior wildlife biologist.
The Road Ahead
As Gujarat prides itself on being the only home for Asiatic lions, the latest data could put the spotlight back on long-pending conservation strategies, including the controversial proposal to relocate some lions to other states to ensure genetic diversity and species survival.
With human encroachment increasing and climate change adding further pressure, experts warn that proactive steps are critical to prevent these numbers from rising further.
