Sasan Gir, the famous ‘Last Home of Asiatic Lions’ is populated by budding 411 remnants of these apex predators in 1412 km2 of protected forest area. Once, the roar of these Asiatic lions dominated the jungles from Western Europe to India. However, rampant trophy hunting brought them on the brink of extinction, until they received the ‘Protected’ status from then Nawab of Junagadh in the early 19th century. The current population of Asiatic lions is a result of tremendous conservation efforts from forest department, wildlife activists & NGOs, as once the numbers of these big cats were reduced to merely 15.
The increasing numbers of lions in the protected forest area has made it congested. Consequently, the paws of lions are searching for new places outside protected area. The reports of lions seen outside the protected forest are not new anymore. The Sasan Gir lions have been found to visit the shores of Somanth and voyaging in unprotected forest areas near to human population. Though, these lions have been preying on domestic cattle since decades, their attack on human is yet very rare in Sasan Gir.
The only ‘Social cat’ lions live in group known as pride which may comprise up to 20-30 members. Simultaneously with the populations, the numbers of prides have also increased. Further, it may also be assumed that the numbers of prides will rise gradually as significant numbers of cubs were observed in 2010 census. This increasing numbers of prides in protected area and subsequent competition for food have forced aggressively territorial lions to explore new territories outside their safe haven.
The forest department provides limited permits to tourists who wish to see lions in their natural habitat; however, not everyone opting for this permitted safari gets to see them. Thus, every now and then, reports of some locals making income through promising and showing lions inside and outside protected forest area also come into light. In the purview of what happened to tiger population in few national parks despite of ‘Project Tiger’ and their protected status, it would be important for authorities to nip any poaching attempt from the bud in Sasan Gir. Further, increasing numbers of illegal safaris outside protected areas may result in to lions having less or no fear from humans. As observed in Africa, this may turn out to be a provoking practice as lions can start considering humans as a prey because availability of their natural prey is limited to scarce outside protected area. This picture might seem dark but the starting population of Sasan Gir lions was very low, therefore genetically they may not be much diverse from each other. Thus, infection from a contagious disease and immunity not able to fight it, may still wipe out the current population.
As they say ‘Prevention is better than cure’, it is essential to keep watch and curb any illegal activities for the benefit of both lions and humans. In addition, shifting and reintroducing lions dwelling outside protected areas, to the regions where they use to roam and roar once should also be considered. We have completed Phase – I successfully by saving Asiatic lions from certain extinction. Perhaps, now is the time to start thinking about Phase- II, which should secure and restore them in their old habitats.
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