PM Modi Appreciates Lion Conservation Efforts at Gir National Park

Observing the occasion of World Tiger Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to appreciate all those working for the conservation and preservation of these big cats. Noting the efforts made by the authorities of the Gir National Park in Gujarat, he further extended an invitation to wildlife lovers to visit the park.

In a social media post that mentions his appreciation for the national park, he also highlighted the setting up of International Big Cat Alliance in February 2024, and expressed the government’s commitment and dedication towards protecting this big cat species.

Here is the gist of what the Prime Minister had to say on the occasion of World Lion Day:

Complementing the people working towards the conservation of Lions, he acknowledged the increasing number of tigers in Gir.
With a commitment to protect the big cat species, he highlighted the Union Cabinet’s decision of approving the International Big Cat Alliance in February this year.
Talking about the alliance, he aims to bring together the nations where Lions reside, and to work together to build a holistic approach where focus is on sustainable development and community efforts.
The alliance has so far been receiving an encouraging response globally.
He also invites and encourages wildlife lovers to visit Gir National Park and witness the conservation of the Asiatic Lions, and the warm hospitality of Gujarat for themselves.

On World Lion Day 🦁, I compliment all those working on Lion conservation and reiterate our commitment to protecting these majestic big cats. India, as we all know, is home to a large Lion population in Gir, Gujarat. Over the years, their numbers have increased significantly,… pic.twitter.com/PbnlhBlj71
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 10, 2024

Importance of World Lion Day

An event that takes place every year on the 10th of August, World Lion Day is celebrated with the intention to raise awareness about the challenges and difficulties faced by the lions in the wild. With an urgency that was driven by the need to conserve and protect the declining population of the lions in the wild, World Lion Day was first introduced in 2013. An apex level predator, the lion is an important piece in maintaining the integrity of the wild’s ecosystem, and such, their preservation is absolutely necessary, which is what this day is all about.

About Gir National Park

Established with an aim to conserve and protect the declining population of the Asiatic Lion in India, Gir National Park is the only place in the world where they can be found naturally. From a population that almost went extinct, today, the efforts of the park’s authorities have led to a major change in the IUCN Status of this big cat species, where they stand to be ‘vulnerable’, from their past status of being an ‘endangered’ species.