Wildlife enthusiast and Rajya Sabha member Parimal Nathwani has created a 12-episode series that revolves around the tales of Asiatic lions and their only house on the planet -Gir. The series, named “Pride Kingdom”, was filmed in Gujarat’s forests over a few weeks and showcases the various moods and behavior of the animals.
The protagonists of the story are identical lion twins, the Bhuriya brothers. The storyline showcases how they both take control of their territory. One episode particularly shows the amount of terror the lions cause in the another big cat, which is the leopard.
The series also aims to discuss the behavior of lions and their interactions with humans. It highlights how the lionesses train their cubs. The queens of Gir risk their lives to protect the cubs. The show also showcases the unique Lion Hospital, which has amazing care facilities for the great animals. Nathwani has been a common visitor at Gir, as he has visited the place several times in more than 35 years. He says he is enraptured by the royal nature of the Asiatic Lions. He is dismayed by the fact that though thousands of tourists visit Gir every year, the forest is yet to receive the attention it deserves at national and international levels. Hence, it was his idea to form a documentary that draws upon the stories of Asiatic lions. He adds that his series is inspired by the Project Lion, which was announced by PM Modị. Nathwani has taken up various initiatives to help with the conservation of lions of Gir with the assistance of forest officials, trackers and maldharis.
