The Gir forest in Gujarat, India, is the last remaining home of the Asiatic Lion, also known as Panthera Leo persica. This endangered species has a current population of just 523 individuals, comprising 109 males, 201 females, and 213 cubs, as per the May 2015 census. Historically, Asiatic lions roamed across various regions including Southeastern Europe and parts of India, but over the last 400 years, they have become extinct in all but the Gir forest due to factors such as extensive hunting, habitat loss, and natural calamities. The reasons for their extinction elsewhere are debated. Commonly cited reasons include hunting by royalty and humans, competition for territory as human populations grew, and natural selection, which suggests that lions may not have been suited to survive in other regions. The Gir National Park has been crucial for the survival of these lions. The last confirmed sighting of Asiatic lions outside Gujarat was in 1884, and the population has been slowly recovering, with a reported 27% increase in the last five years. The challenges faced by the lions in the past, such as droughts from 1901 to 1905, have highlighted the importance of conservation efforts in the Gir region.

by Bhavin H Jobanputra in English Adventure Stories

Writen by Bhavin H Jobanputra

Category Adventure Stories