Environment ยท GS3
Asiatic lion population rises
One line
The government reported that India's Asiatic lion population increased from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025.
Summary
Population growth is encouraging, but concentration in one broader landscape creates vulnerability to disease, extreme events, habitat pressure, and conflict. Conservation quality matters alongside headcount.
PYQ pattern
UPSC can ask about species recovery, habitat connectivity, human-wildlife conflict, and the risks of geographic concentration.
Core notes
- India's wild Asiatic lions occur in Gujarat's Greater Gir landscape.
- Population estimation has uncertainty and should be read with method and survey effort.
- Corridor protection allows dispersal between habitat patches.
- Veterinary surveillance must avoid disrupting wild ecological processes.
Prelims lens
- The Asiatic lion is distinct from the African lion at subspecies level.
- Gir National Park is in Gujarat.
- A rising population does not remove single-landscape risk.
MCQ 1
India's wild Asiatic lion population is centred in:
- A. Gujarat
- B. Kerala
- C. Sikkim
- D. Odisha
Reveal answerHide answer
A
The population occurs in the Greater Gir landscape of Gujarat.
MCQ 2
Which risk remains despite population growth?
- A. Geographic concentration
- B. Complete absence of habitat
- C. No need for disease surveillance
- D. Elimination of conflict
Reveal answerHide answer
A
Concentration can amplify the effect of disease and other landscape-wide shocks.
Mains
Question, 10 marks, 150 words: Why should species-recovery policy assess ecological resilience in addition to population size?
Approach:
- Explain abundance and distribution.
- Discuss disease, corridors, prey, conflict, and climate risk.
- Note survey uncertainty.
- Suggest landscape-level and community-based measures.