In a recent development, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Forest and Environment Department of Gujarat celebrated World Lion Day – 2025 at the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Devbhumi Dwarka district, Gujarat.

About Barda Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in the state of Gujarat, the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is a key biodiversity hotspot and an essential site for the conservation of the Asiatic Lion.

Geographical Features:

• Rivers: The sanctuary is traversed by two important waterways:

  • Bileshvary River

  • Joghri River

• Dams: The region also has two significant dams:

  • Khambala Dam

  • Fodara Dam

Tribes:

The sanctuary is home to various ethnic groups, including:

• Maldharis

• Bharvads

• Rabaris

• Gadhvis

These communities have coexisted with the wildlife and have their own unique ways of life, with deep ties to the region’s land and fauna.

Conservation Efforts - The Gir-Barda Project:

In 1979, the Gujarat state government initiated the ‘Gir-Barda Project’ to develop Barda as a second home for the Asiatic Lion, in an effort to diversify the species' habitat beyond the Gir National Park. This project has played a significant role in the conservation and protection of the Asiatic Lion population, which had faced a serious threat of extinction in the past.

Flora and Fauna:

• Flora: The sanctuary is home to an impressive range of 650 plant species. Some of the prominent plants found in the area include:

  • Rayan

  • Babul

  • Ber

  • Jamun

  • Amli

  Fauna: The sanctuary supports a diverse range of wildlife, including:

  • Leopard

  • Hyena

  • Wild Boar

  • Wolf

  • Jackal

  • Blue Bull

  • Rare and endangered species like the spotted eagle and the crested hawk eagle.

The sanctuary’s fauna contributes to its vital role in maintaining ecological balance and providing critical habitats for endangered species.

Facts about the Asiatic Lion

The Asiatic Lion, also known as the Persian Lion or Indian Lion, is a subspecies of the Panthera leo found exclusively in India.

Habitat:

• The Asiatic Lion is confined to the Gir National Park and its surrounding wildlife sanctuaries in the Saurashtra district of Gujarat, India.

• This specific range is the only place in the world where these lions are found in the wild, making it a critical habitat for their survival.

Characteristics:

• Size: Asiatic lions are generally smaller than their African counterparts, with females being notably smaller than males.

• Unique Features:

  • Unlike the African lion, the Asiatic lion has a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly. This feature is one of the defining traits that set them apart from African lions.

  • Their fur color varies from a ruddy tawny to sandy or buff-grey, with some lions displaying a silvery sheen in certain lights.

  • The males possess a moderate mane, but it is not as thick or expansive as that of African lions. Importantly, the ears of the male Asiatic lion are always visible, as the mane doesn’t cover the top of the head as much.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable - The Asiatic lion is considered vulnerable due to its limited range and historical decline in population.

• CITES: Appendix I - The species is listed in Appendix I of CITES, which includes species that are threatened with extinction and prohibits international trade unless under strict regulations.

• Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule I - The Asiatic lion enjoys the highest level of protection under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Recently, eviction notices have been served to two prominent religious institutions and two businessmen within the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple area as part of conservation efforts.

Location:

• The Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve is located in the Biligirirangana Hills (BR Hills), in the Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka, India.

• The reserve is situated at an elevation of 5,091 feet above sea level and lies between the Western and Eastern Ghats, making it a unique bio-geographical bridge.

History and Significance:

• The BRT Tiger Reserve was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2011.

• The reserve derives its name from the Biligiri (meaning "white rocky cliff") and the Rangaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located atop the hill.

• The hills are often covered by white mist and silvery clouds, giving the area a serene and mystical aura.

Flora and Vegetation:

• The reserve's vegetation is diverse, encompassing a range of forest types:

  • Scrub forests

  • Dry deciduous forests

  • Moist deciduous forests

  • Shola forests

  • Montane grasslands

• Major plant species include:

  • Anogeissus latifolia

  • Dalbergia paniculata

  • Grewia teliaefolia

  • Terminalia alata, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia paniculata, among others.

Fauna:

The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including some of India's most iconic species:

• Tigers

• Elephants

• Leopards

• Wild dogs

• Bison

Tribal Community:

• The Soliga tribe is the indigenous tribal community living within the tiger reserve. The Soligas were the first tribal community in India to have their forest rights recognized through a court judgment in 2011.

• They have a deep understanding of the forest ecosystem and play an integral role in the reserve’s conservation efforts.

Conservation Importance:

• The BRT Tiger Reserve plays a crucial role in tiger conservation and preserving the biodiversity of the Western Ghats region.

• The presence of a diverse range of flora and fauna, including endangered species, makes it an important conservation site.