Gir: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to launch Project Lion, a ₹29,000 crore initiative focused on disease management and habitat enhancement, during his Gujarat visit on March 3, stated a news report.

The project is expected to be discussed at the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) meeting in Sasan, chaired by the PM, with its official announcement likely to follow. The launch coincides with World Wildlife Day, which in 2025 emphasizes ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet’.

It is learned that the project has received preliminary approval, with NBWL’s final clearance pending. Key components include a veterinary hospital in Sasan, lion rescue facilities, drone surveillance, 100 tracker positions, 33 rapid response teams, and CCTV monitoring at forest entrances. The initiative also proposes eight additional lion habitats beyond Gir Sanctuary, including Umath Virdi, Girnar, Mitiyala, Jesor-Hipawadi, Babra Virdi, Hingolgadh, and coastal areas from Rajula to Mahuva.

The project, which also envisions Barda as a second home for lions, considers lion population growth until 2047 and includes bi-annual herbivore censuses, well protection, and artificial water bodies for lion conservation. DeshGujarat