<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gir-Somnath on&nbsp;March 3 to mark World Wildlife Day 2025. This year&rsquo;s theme, &ldquo;Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,&rdquo; highlights the crucial role of sustainable funding in global conservation.</p>
<p>Gujarat, home to the world&rsquo;s only wild population of Asiatic lions, has undertaken extensive measures to protect its wildlife. The lions now inhabit approximately 30,000 sq. km across 53 talukas in nine districts. To further strengthen conservation, the state is establishing a National Referral Centre for Wildlife in Junagadh, alongside a&nbsp;high-tech monitoring centre&nbsp;and a state-of-the-art wildlife hospital in Sasan.</p>
<h3><strong>Women Beat Guards and Foresters Appointed in Gir</strong></h3>
<p>Gujarat is the first state to recruit&nbsp;women beat guards and foresters in the Gir Protected Area. In 2024, 237 beat guards (including 75 women) were inducted to patrol lion habitats. Currently, 111 women serve in Gir&rsquo;s forest department, the state said in a release.</p>
<h3><strong>Greater Gir Wildlife Protection Task Force and Bruhad Gir Initiative</strong></h3>
<p>Following a 2007 poaching incident, Gujarat established the Greater Gir Wildlife Protection Task Force to monitor crimes and safeguard wildlife. The Bruhad Gir initiative, introduced by PM Modi, expanded conservation efforts beyond Gir National Park, covering 30,000 sq. km from Barda to Botad.</p>
<p>The Gujarat State Lion Conservation Society (GSLCS) was also launched to fund conservation, utilizing revenue from Gir eco-tourism. The Vanya Prani Mitra scheme was introduced to raise awareness and assist in wildlife rescue.</p>
<h3><strong>Eco-Tourism and Local Development</strong></h3>
<p>PM Modi&rsquo;s Khushbu Gujarat Ki campaign boosted eco-tourism in Gir, attracting over 33 lakh visitors in the past five years. To balance tourism and conservation, the Ambardi Safari Park was established in 2017, and an online permit booking system streamlined visitor experiences.</p>
<p>Eco-tourism has benefitted 1,000 families directly and 15,400 families indirectly, supporting local artisans and farmers. Gir&rsquo;s Kesar mangoes, Gir cow ghee, sugarcane jaggery, and handicrafts have gained popularity among tourists, the release added.</p>
<h3><strong>Strengthening Conservation and Safety</strong></h3>
<p>To address lion movement on railway tracks, an SOP was formulated with the Railways, reducing accidents. Additionally, the Gir Samvad Setu initiative has held 300+ programmes to resolve local issues.</p>
<p>PM Modi&rsquo;s visit underscores Gujarat&rsquo;s commitment to wildlife conservation, reinforcing its position as a global leader in protecting the Asiatic lion.&nbsp;</p>

Lions now inhabit approximately 30,000 sq. km across nine districts

Gujarat boosts Asiatic lion conservation with eco-tourism, women beat guards, and safety measures

PM Modi to Visit Gir on World Wildlife Day

Gujarat boosts Asiatic lion conservation with eco-tourism, women beat guards, and safety measures

March 2, 2025 | 12:54 IST