Gandhinagar: The Central Government has prepared “Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal” for Lion conservation as a part of the ‘Project Lion’ for conservation of Asiatic Lions in Gir, Gujarat. The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey provided the detail in Rajya Sabha on December 22, 2022, while replying to a question raised by RS MP Shri Parimal Nathwani.

According to the statement of the minister, the ‘Project Lion’ document titled “Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal” has been prepared with objectives to secure & restore lions’ habitats for managing its growing population. He also said that the objective of the document is to scale up livelihood generation and participation of local communities and become a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment. Besides, it aims for Inclusive biodiversity conservation through project lion initiative. ‘Project Lion’ envisages landscape ecology-based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating conservation and eco-development, the statement said.

Shri Nathwani wanted to know whether any blueprint is prepared for the ‘Project Lion’ and/or road map drawn, the details of funds provided by the Central Government for the ‘Project Lion’ during the last three years; and whether the State Government of Gujarat submitted the utilization of the ‘Project Lion’ fund received from the Centre

The ministers’ statement also read that the ‘Project Lion’ is being implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat which is the last home of the Asiatic lion. ‘Project Tiger’, which is being implemented in tiger landscapes spread across the country in 53 tiger reserves, and ‘Project Lion’ both envisage activities which ensure overall conservation of the entire ecosystem inhabited by these flagship species, he said in the statement.

According to the statement, ‘Project Lion’ is being implemented by the State Government of Gujarat and other stakeholders like Central Zoo Authority and financial assistance of Rs. 124.58lakhs have been provided to State of Gujarat for conservation of wildlife including Asiatic Lions under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)- ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ during last three years. Further, revalidation of Rs 1641.42 lakhs of grants released during 2018-19 under the Asiatic Lion Conservation project has also been done during the period, he said. According to the statement, the State Government of Gujarat has submitted the Utilization Certificate for the funds released as Central share under Asiatic Lion Conservation project.