PM Modi announces Asiatic Lion census

Sasan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the National Board for Wildlife’s seventh meeting here on Monday, on the occasion of the World Wildlife Day, and announced the Asiatic lion population estimation to be held in May this year.

Soon after completing his lion safari at Gir National Park in the morning, Modi headed for the NBWL meeting, at Sasan in Gujarat’s Junagadh district, which was attended by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and other members.

On the occasion, Modi laid the foundation stone for the National Referral Centre-Wildlife at Junagadh and announced the 16th Asiatic lion population estimation to be carried out in May this year.

He also announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management, SACON, at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, and unveiled a book on river dolphins.

The NBWL, a statutory body that advises the government on wildlife conservation, has 47 members, including the Chief of Army Staff, members from different states, representatives from NGOs working in this field, chief wildlife wardens and secretaries from various states.

The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairperson of the NBWL, and the Union environment, forests and climate change minister is the board’s vice-chairperson.

After the safari, Modi in a post on X said the population of Asiatic lions has seen a steady rise due to collective efforts, and commended the contribution of tribals and women living in surrounding areas in preserving the Asiatic lion habitat.

“This morning, on #WorldWildlifeDay, I went on a Safari in Gir, which, as we all know, is home to the majestic Asiatic Lion. Coming to Gir also brings back many memories of the work we collectively did when I was serving as Gujarat CM,” he said.