Bhupender Yadav inaugurates ‘Lion’ Species Spotlight Event in Gir ahead IBCA Summit

“The lion is not only the identity of Gujarat but also a symbol of the pride, courage, and natural heritage of the entire nation,” Shri Bhupender Yadav said during his address.

India has announced it will host the first-ever International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit in New Delhi next year, positioning itself at the centre of global wildlife conservation efforts as the country celebrates a major revival in its Asiatic lion population.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the 'Lion' Species Spotlight Event at Sasan Gir in Gujarat, highlighting India's growing international leadership in big cat conservation and biodiversity protection.

The event forms part of the pre-summit activities leading up to the International Big Cat Alliance Summit 2026, which is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on June 1–2 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The summit is expected to bring together an unprecedented gathering of world leaders, ministers, scientists, conservationists, multilateral agencies, financial institutions, and wildlife experts from 95 big-cat range countries across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

India Emerges as Global Leader in Big Cat Conservation

The International Big Cat Alliance has emerged as one of India's most ambitious international conservation initiatives, focused on protecting seven iconic big cat species — Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma — through scientific cooperation, global partnerships, and coordinated conservation strategies.

Speaking at the event, Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" — the philosophy that the world is one family — for shaping the global conservation initiative.

He said the establishment of IBCA reflects India's growing commitment to biodiversity protection and has helped strengthen international awareness regarding the urgent need for big cat conservation.

"The lion is not only the identity of Gujarat but also a symbol of the pride, courage, and natural heritage of the entire nation," Shri Bhupender Yadav said during his address.

Asiatic Lion Numbers Reach Historic High

The event also showcased one of the world's most remarkable wildlife recovery stories.

According to official figures released during the programme, the lion population across the Greater Gir Landscape has risen to an estimated 891 individuals in 2025 — a dramatic 32 percent increase compared with 2020.

Conservation experts describe the growth as a major ecological success, especially considering that the Asiatic lion survives as a single wild population found exclusively in India's Gir ecosystem.

Globally, lion populations have declined by more than 30 percent due to habitat destruction, climate pressures, poaching, and increasing human-wildlife conflict.

Officials say India's conservation model, which combines strong legal protection, scientific monitoring, habitat restoration, and extensive community participation, has helped stabilise and expand lion populations across the Gir landscape.

Community Participation Key to Conservation Success

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted the role local communities have played in protecting Asiatic lions over generations.

He noted that lions are deeply embedded in the culture and identity of the Gir region, helping foster public support for conservation efforts.

"Gir stands as a living example of how economic progress can go hand in hand with wildlife conservation through an ecological approach," Shri Patel said.

The Gujarat Government also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen long-term conservation through the development of Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as an alternative habitat and natural dispersal site for Asiatic lions.

Project Lion and Expanded Conservation Measures

The Government of India has intensified efforts to secure the future of the Asiatic lion under Project Lion, launched in 2020.

The initiative adopts a comprehensive landscape-based conservation strategy focused on:

• Habitat restoration

• Population management

• Ecological resilience

• Disease surveillance

• Human-wildlife conflict mitigation

• Expansion of lion habitats

The Minister also highlighted several major conservation initiatives currently underway, including:

• Asiatic Lion Population Estimation programmes

• Development of the National Wildlife Referral Centre in Junagadh

• Strengthening protected habitats in Gujarat

• Expansion of scientific conservation and monitoring systems

The Asiatic lion currently enjoys the highest level of legal protection under Appendix-I of CITES and Schedule-I of India's Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

IBCA Summit 2026 to Shape Future of Global Wildlife Protection

The upcoming IBCA Summit 2026 is expected to become one of the largest global gatherings focused exclusively on big cat conservation.

Held under the theme "Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem," the summit aims to strengthen international cooperation, knowledge sharing, financing mechanisms, scientific research, and best conservation practices.

Shri Yadav said the summit would help build a stronger socio-ecological future for big cats and their habitats while promoting coordinated global action against biodiversity loss.

The event in Gir also featured the launch of a special Lion Conservation Brochure, along with educational films and technical presentations showcasing conservation efforts for big cats in India and globally.

Students from educational institutions across the region participated in the programme, reflecting efforts to build public awareness and future conservation leadership.