Gir: The Gujarat Forest Department today began the 16th Asiatic Lion census in two phases. This marks the first on-ground census since 2015 and will cover nearly 35,000 sq km across 11 districts, including Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, and Rajkot, among others.

The census will employ the Direct Beat Verification (DBV) method, known for its high accuracy, according to a government release.

The first phase (preliminary count) will take place over the weekend, on May 10–11, followed by the final count on May 12–13, covering 58 talukas. The census will record lion sightings, movement, age, sex, and group dynamics in segmented units across diverse landscapes such as forests, coastal zones, and grasslands.

Modern tools, such as high-resolution cameras, camera traps, radio collars, and the e-GujForest mobile app with GPS-based data entry, will be used. GIS software will help map the lions’ habitats and movements.

The census was first held in 1936, recording 287 lions. By 2015, the number had risen to 523. The 2020 census was canceled due to COVID-19, but an alternative “Poonam Avlokan” method estimated the population at 674. Authorities credit conservation initiatives, eco-development committees, and habitat improvement efforts for the steady growth in lion numbers.

The survey will involve approximately 650 to 700 teams, including beat guards, foresters, forest rangers, senior officers, observers, and volunteers, totaling around 3,000 people.

Development of the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is also underway as an alternate habitat for the lions. DeshGujarat