Junagadh | Gujarat —- In a landmark step toward protecting one of India’s most iconic species, Gujarat hosted the first International Lion Conservation Seminar at Sasan in the Gir region. The event was chaired by State Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera and attended by Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani, drawing experts from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the International Organisation for Conservation (IOC), Tiger Reserve Directors, renowned NGOs, and senior officials of the Gujarat Forest Department.
The seminar aimed to address pressing issues and formulate innovative strategies for the conservation of the Asiatic lion, a species found only in the Gir landscape. Discussions covered population management, habitat protection, disease control, and sustainable tourism.
In a candid admission, Forest Minister Bera revealed that a recent lion cub death in the Shetrunji range of Amreli district was caused by a virus.“Last year, we saw a significant rise in the virus that caused the tragic death of the lion Shiva in 2018. This year, one cub has died due to the same virus. Six other cubs have been rescued and are under strict observation. We are continuously monitoring the situation and the investigation is ongoing,” he said.
The revelation highlighted the urgency of disease management in wildlife conservation. Experts at the seminar stressed the importance of rapid disease detection systems, genetic diversity, and safe relocation practices to protect the growing lion population.
Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani praised the state’s commitment but urged proactive measures.“The lion is not just Gujarat’s pride but India’s heritage. We must ensure that threats like habitat loss, disease, and human-animal conflict are addressed with scientific precision and community cooperation,” he said.
Several international agencies presented recommendations, including: establishing a specialized wildlife disease research center in Gir, expanding lion habitats beyond Gir to reduce population stress, strengthening community-based conservation programs, enhancing patrolling and anti-poaching measures, and promoting eco-tourism with strict environmental guidelines
Representatives from the WWF and IOC also highlighted climate change as a growing risk to lion habitats, calling for habitat corridors and reforestation drives to ensure long-term survival.
Minister Bera assured attendees that the government will implement key suggestions from the seminar.“This is not the end of our efforts — it is the beginning of a new, global approach to lion conservation. We will work with both national and international experts to secure the future of the Asiatic lion,” he said.
The international lion conservation seminar concluded with a consensus that lion conservation requires collaboration at every level — from grassroots villagers to international organizations — to ensure that the ‘Vanraj’ (King of the Jungle) continues to reign in the wild for generations to come.
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