By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
India’s lion population has registered a significant rise growing to 891, up from 674 in 2020, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said on Sunday.
“The Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) is a global symbol of successful wildlife conservation, and on this World Lion Day, we celebrate their remarkable recovery. From just 284 lions in 1990, the population has now risen to 891 in 2025 — a 32% increase since 2020 and over 70% growth in the past decade,” Yadav said at function to mark the World Lion Day at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat.
Calling it an “astounding success of conservation,” the Minister credited this achievement to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, first as Chief Minister of Gujarat and later as Prime Minister, made Project Lion a priority area of action.
It is a matter of immense national pride that if the Asiatic lion exists anywhere in the world today, it is in Gir, Gujarat. Our relentless conservation efforts have doubled their population in the past decade, giving hope to global wildlife protection. Let today’s inauguration inspire all to protect this majestic animal—the true symbol of Gujarat’s heritage and India’s ecological strength.”
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reiterated Gujarat’s commitment to the protection and growth of the Asiatic lion population, stating that the state continues to serve as the global home of this iconic species.
The Chief Minister informed that under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the lion population in Gujarat has increased from 674 to 891 over recent years through scientific conservation measures and sustained community participation.
Patel noted that the inauguration of new habitats, advanced veterinary care facilities, and eco-tourism infrastructure worth ₹180 crore marks a significant milestone for lion conservation in the state. He said that, after 143 years, lions have returned to the Barda region—restoring ecological balance and adding to the state’s natural heritage.