GS3 · Biodiversity

World Lion Day: Asiatic lions rise to 891

10 August 20251 min readProtected Areas Species in News

Asked by UPSCPrelims 2019, 20172 PYQs

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

Prelims 2017Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites…Solve with answer
Prelims 2019Consider the following statements: Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only. …Solve with answer

What happened

World Lion Day 2025 was held at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gujarat; the Minister cited a lion population of 891 [PIB].
A ₹180 crore conservation initiative was launched; Project Lion was announced on 15 August 2020 [PIB].

Background

Asiatic lions are found only in the Saurashtra region [PIB].

Why it matters

Barda is being developed as a second lion home within Gujarat.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation

As per PIB (2025-08-10): world Lion Day 2025 was held at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gujarat; the Minister cited a lion population of 891.
Barda is being developed as a second lion home within Gujarat.

Quotable data point
A ₹180 crore conservation initiative was launched; Project Lion was announced on 15 August 2020.
PIB: World Lion Day 2025, 10 Aug 2025

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: Barda WLS.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Asiatic lion population cited in 2025

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

World Lion Day 2025 was held at

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

ExplainerNational Parks in India: Legal Framework, National Park vs Sanctuary, Tiger and Biosphere Reserves, Key Parks by State and Issues (UPSC Notes + PYQs)

Official source: PIB: World Lion Day 2025, 10 Aug 2025

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending