As per the last population estimation of Asiatic Lions, the density of lions in Gir National Park & Sanctuary is 13.38 individuals per 100 sq.km., while the density of wild prey base there is 11,023 individuals per 100 sq.km. The Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey provided this information in Rajya Sabha on March 31, 2022 while replying to questions raised by MP Parimal Nathwani. 

According to the statement of the minister, two studies have been conducted for the estimation of food availability for Gir Lions in Gir National Park and Sanctuary:- i. Ungulate diversities and biomass in the tropical dry deciduous forest of Gir, Gujarat, India by Jamal A. Khan and Ravi Chellam (1987-1989) and ii. Impact of management practices on lion and ungulate habitats in Gir PA by Diwakar Sharma (1991-1994). The Gujarat Forest Department also carries out prey base estimation exercise every year to monitor the prey base population in Gir. 

Details of the estimation exercise are as under:

1. 2014 (Year of wild prey base population estimation): 132504 Total wild prey base population (in number)

2. 2015 (Year of wild prey base population estimation): 139031 Total wild prey base population (in number)

3. 2016 (Year of wild prey base population estimation) : 142543 Total wild prey base population (in number)

4. 2017 (Year of wild prey base population estimation):147822 Total wild prey base population (in number)

5. 2018 (Year of wild prey base population estimation): 149365 Total wild prey base population (in number)

6. 2019 (Year of wild prey base population estimation): 155659 Total wild prey base population (in number)

Shri Nathwani wanted to know whether any study has been conducted on availability of food for Gir lions in Gir National Park and Sanctuary, the steps being taken to increase/ boost the prey-base for lions so that they do not venture out in search of food and kill domestic animals; and the details of per 100 sq. km carrying capacity of lions in Gir vis-à-vis availability of prey-base. 

According to the minister’s statement, the steps taken to increase the prey-base population in Gir National Park and Sanctuary include habitat improvement works such as grassland development, thinning, pruning, and pollarding of browsable plant species, etc. As per the last population estimation of Asiatic lions, the density of lions in Gir National Park and Sanctuary is 13.38 individuals per 100 sq.km. The wild prey base estimation includes spotted deer, sambar, blue bull, Indian gazelle, four-horned antelope, Hanuman langur, wild pig, blackbuck and Indian peafowl, statement mentioned.