Gir National Park: Last Refuge of the Asiatic Lion

Location and Significance

Gir National Park is in Gujarat, India (Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli districts).

Key Facts

• Area: 1,412 km² (core 258 km² + sanctuary).
• Established: 1965 (sanctuary), 1975 (national park).
• Flagship Species: Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica)—only wild population globally (~675 as of 2020 census).
• Other Wildlife: Leopard, striped hyena, golden jackal, chital, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, four-horned antelope, 300+ bird species.
• Habitats: Dry deciduous teak forest, grasslands, scrub, rivers (Hiran, Shetrunji), reservoirs (Kamleshwar).

Conservation Success

From ~20 lions (1913) to 674+ (2020) due to strict protection, community involvement (Maldhari pastoralist relocation), and prey base recovery. Translocation to Kuno (MP) planned for second population.

Gir proves recovery is possible—with political will and local partnership.