On the occasion of World Lion Day 2025, Gujarat reaffirmed its role as a national leader in wildlife conservation, celebrating the transformation of the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary into a flourishing secondary habitat for the Asiatic lion.
As per the 2023 wildlife census, Barda now shelters 17 Asiatic lions, including cubs, and a stable population of 25 leopards.
According to a press release from the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office, the development of Barda has been guided by a science-based, community-inclusive approach championed by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Efforts have focused on ecological restoration, scientific habitat management, and participatory governance, elements that together have created a thriving ecosystem in the coastal Saurashtra region.
“Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of development alongside heritage, remains the philosophical underpinning of Gujarat’s conservation strategy. Under this banner, the state has prioritised both environmental preservation and economic advancement.
Comprehensive conservation measures at Barda include large-scale grassland rejuvenation, prey base augmentation, and deployment of technology-enabled wildlife tracking. These initiatives have enhanced the sanctuary’s carrying capacity and created a resilient ecosystem, supporting multiple apex predators.
Barda is a key landscape under Project Lion, a national initiative launched by Prime Minister Modi to expand lion habitats beyond the Gir Protected Area. With 100 per cent lion habitation within its limits, Barda’s success is seen as emblematic of Gujarat’s decentralised and scientific conservation strategy.
Also read: Asiatic lion count rises to 891 in Gujarat
Modern tools such as radio collars and real-time tracking are now routinely used in Barda, aiding effective wildlife monitoring. Simultaneously, the co-existence of lions and leopards underscores a functional ecological balance, prompting wildlife experts to view Barda as a replicable model for rewilding elsewhere in the country.
To promote eco-tourism, guided jungle safaris have been operationalised by the Forest Department from October 16 to June 15 annually. Each safari, priced at Rs 2,200 for six persons, includes charges for a gypsy vehicle, guide, and government permit.
Visitor amenities, including parking, lounges, and sanitation facilities, have been established to ensure a comfortable and accessible experience. The sanctuary also remains open year-round for pilgrims visiting the Kileshwar Mahadev Temple, showcasing Gujarat’s holistic conservation model that integrates spiritual and ecological concerns.
Local communities, particularly the Maldhari pastoralist groups, play an integral role in the eco-tourism model. Their involvement has turned them into stakeholders in wildlife protection, aligning economic benefit with biodiversity conservation.
The 2025 Lion Census reports that Gujarat is home to 891 Asiatic lions, with more than half residing outside the Gir Protected Area. The shift reflects the success of habitat diversification strategies and the growing reach of Project Lion.
Barda’s progress was also cited as a milestone in India’s broader wildlife diplomacy. The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), initiated by Prime Minister Modi, highlights India’s role in championing global big cat conservation efforts.
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