Gujarat gears up for grand celebration of World Lion Day 2025 at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary

Lion population has surged by 32% since 2020—from 674 to 891 lions roaming freely over approximately 35,000 sq. km in Saurashtra.

Dwarka: The state of Gujarat is all set to host grand celebrations for World Lion Day 2025 on Sunday (August 10) highlighting the state’s commitment to the conservation of the Asiatic Lion, an iconic and endangered species found only in the Saurashtra region of India.

The celebration will be graced by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and other public representatives.

This year’s central event will take place at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Devbhumi Dwarka district. Organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with the Forest and Environment Department, Government of Gujarat,

The event will also be joined via satellite by lakhs of students across 11 districts of the Greater Gir Lion Landscape.

The Asiatic Lion, often hailed as the ‘King of the Jungle’, has seen a remarkable recovery. As per the May 2025 population estimation, the lion population has surged by 32% since 2020—from 674 to 891 lions roaming freely over approximately 35,000 sq. km in Saurashtra.

” This growth is attributed to the consistent conservation efforts under Project Lion and the strategic leadership of the Gujarat government” said the official statement.

Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning 192.31 sq. km across Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts, is emerging as a second home for the Asiatic Lion.

Since the natural migration of lions into the area in 2023, the population has grown to 17, including 6 adults and 11 cubs.

The sanctuary is not only a biodiversity hotspot but also strategically located within the Dwarka-Porbandar-Somnath tourist circuit, enhancing its ecotourism potential.

To further this vision, the state has allocated land for the development of a 248-hectare safari park in Barda, and conservation initiatives worth Rs 180 crore will be launched during the event.

These projects aim to strengthen habitat management, prey base development, and community involvement in conservation.

Last year, 18.63 lakh students participated in the celebrations, and this year’s numbers are expected to surpass that as educational institutions across Saurashtra join in through satellite communication to spread awareness and foster a connection with wildlife conservation among the youth.

As Gujarat continues to lead in wildlife conservation, World Lion Day 2025 will stand as a testament to the state’s unwavering commitment to preserving the pride of India—the Asiatic Lion.