Asiatic Lions: 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025, Project Lion

Asiatic lions rise to 891 in 2025 from 523 in 2015

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Battle Brief

On World Lion Day, 10 August 2026, the Environment Minister said the Asiatic lion population rose from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025. Project Lion, announced on 15 August 2020, has seen the lion range grow from about 30,000 sq km in 2020 to nearly 35,000 sq km. Gir in Gujarat is the only home of wild Asiatic lions.

Fact File

Occasion: World Lion Day, 10 Aug 2026
Population: 523 (2015) to 891 (2025)
Earlier counts: 284 (1990), 674 (2020)
Project Lion: announced 15 Aug 2020
Range: about 30,000 sq km (2020) to nearly 35,000 sq km
Species: Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica)

In the news

Asiatic lion conservation: what happened?

The Asiatic lion was once close to vanishing. Today it lives in the wild only in and around Gir in Gujarat. Steady protection, with help from local people, has brought numbers up again.

The Minister credited forest staff, conservationists and local communities.
Project Lion covers habitat improvement, disease monitoring and veterinary care, scientific tracking, technology and community involvement.
The lion range has spread well beyond the old core forest.

Back Story

How has the population changed?

284 lions in 1990 (MoEFCC, 2025).
674 in 2020; 891 in 2025, a 32% rise in five years.
Over 70% growth in the decade to 2025.

Why examiners care

Why does Asiatic lion conservation matter?

Biodiversity: A rare recovery story for a big cat.
Risk: One population in one region is vulnerable to disease or disaster.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on Asiatic lion conservation?

Asiatic lion: Panthera leo persica; wild only in Gir, Gujarat.
Project Lion: announced 15 Aug 2020.
Population: 891 (2025).

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation

As per PIB (2026-08-10): on World Lion Day, the Minister said Asiatic lions grew from 523 (2015) to 891 (2025).
Single-population risk argues for a second home (Kuno debate).

Quotable data point
On World Lion Day, the Minister said Asiatic lions grew from 523 (2015) to 891 (2025).
PIB: MoEFCC: Asiatic lion population, 10 Aug 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

The Asiatic lion population in India in 2025 was

Answer (c) & explanation

PIB (MoEFCC), 10 Aug 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

How many Asiatic lions are there?

891 in 2025, up from 523 in 2015.

When was Project Lion announced?

On 15 August 2020.

Where do wild Asiatic lions live?

Only in Gir and the surrounding region in Gujarat.