Asiatic Lion population rises from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025; Reflects dedication of Forest Officials, Conservationists and Local Communities: Shri Bhupender Yadav

On World Lion Day 2026, Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav highlighted that the Asiatic Lion population in India grew from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025, attributing the rise to forest officials, conservationists and local communities. The Minister referenced ‘Project Lion’, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August 2020, which has expanded the lion range from about 30,000 sq km in 2020 to nearly 35,000 sq km and adopts a landscape‑level approach covering habitat enhancement, disease monitoring, scientific tracking and community involvement.