362 Asiatic lions died in Gujarat in three years, 7 due to train accidents: Centre

New Delhi: A total of 363 Asiatic lions died in Gujarat over the last three years, out of which only seven deaths were due to train accidents, the Union Government stated.

In response to a question in the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing winter session of Parliament, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said:

The population of Asiatic Lions was estimated to be 674 as per the last assessment conducted in the year 2020.

As informed by the State Government of Gujarat, 362 lions died during last three years in Gujarat out of which 7 lions died due to train accidents.

As informed by the State Government of Gujarat, the important management initiatives taken up as part of Asiatic Lion conservation include:

i. Increase in prey base for lions in the forest area

ii. Habitat protection interventions

iii. Providing waterholes at appropriate locations within forest area

iv. Radio collaring of selected lions for assessing their movement and behavior patterns.

v. Monitoring of movements of lions with support of trackers

vi. Provision for making payment of compensation to local people for cattle kills

vii. Erection of Machans in farm lands for farmers

viii. Construction of parapet walls around open wells

ix. Creation of awareness and training programme for farmers.