Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil ‘Project Lion’, a Rs 29,000 crore initiative aimed at disease management and habitat enhancement for wildlife, particularly the Asiatic lions, during his visit to Gujarat on March 3. The announcement, which will coincide with World Wildlife Day, follows a meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) in Sasan, where the PM will chair discussions on the project’s objectives.
According to a government source, the project has already received preliminary approval, with final authorisation from the NBWL still pending, a crucial step for its formal implementation.
Following the meeting, PM Modi is expected to officially launch the initiative, which aligns with the 2025 World Wildlife Day theme, that is, Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.
The ambitious plan aims to improve disease management and safeguard lion populations, particularly after the devastating Babesia-CDV outbreak in 2018, which led to the death of 27 lions.
One of the key components of the initiative is the establishment of a National Disease Diagnostic Centre in Sasan, alongside infrastructure like a veterinary hospital, lion rescue facilities and advanced drone surveillance systems.
In addition, 100 tracker positions and 33 rapid response units will be deployed across the region and CCTV will monitor all 24 entry and exit points to enhance lion protection.
The project also seeks to expand lion habitats, with plans for eight additional satellite habitats beyond the Gir Sanctuary in Saurashtra. These include sites in Umath Virdi in Bhavnagar, Gir, Girnar, Mitiyala, Jesor-Hipawadi, Babra Virdi, Hingolgadh and a coastal stretch from Rajula to Jafrabad up to Mahuva.
The proposal also focuses on enhancing protected areas with fruit-bearing trees to attract ungulates, such as nilgai.
Project Lion outlines a long-term strategy for lion conservation, aiming to support population growth until 2047. Bi-annual censuses of herbivore populations will continue after the project’s implementation, with regular progress reports provided to the relevant authorities.
Moreover, for lion-specific measures, the initiative will also focus on broader wildlife welfare. This includes the protection of natural water sources through the safeguarding of wells and the creation of artificial ponds, ensuring adequate water supply for lions and other wildlife.
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