The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo leo) is a distinct subspecies of lion. Slightly smaller than their African counterparts, Asiatic males typically weigh between 160 to 190 kg, while females range from 110 to 120 kg. A distinguishing physical feature often observed in Asiatic lions is a longitudinal fold of skin running along their belly, rarely seen in African lions. Their geographical distribution offers insight into their past widespread presence and current restricted habitat.
Where Asiatic Lions Roam Today
The current geographical distribution of the Asiatic lion is narrow, found exclusively in Gujarat, India. Their sole natural habitat is the Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent areas in the Saurashtra region. This protected area spans approximately 1,412 square kilometers, forming a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands.
The Gir ecosystem provides a diverse landscape of rugged hills, valleys, and perennial rivers like Hiran and Shetrunji, sustaining its biodiversity. This habitat supports a variety of prey animals, including chital, sambar, nilgai, and wild boar, which are primary food sources. The 16th Asiatic Lion Census in May 2025 reported a total population of 891 individuals in Gujarat, a significant increase. While Gir National Park and its nearby sanctuaries house about 394 lions, nearly 44% have expanded their territory beyond protected forest zones, adapting to human-dominated landscapes in the Saurashtra area.
Historical Distribution and Conservation
Historically, the Asiatic lion’s range was more extensive, stretching from West Asia across to southern Pakistan, central India, and as far east as West Bengal. By the early 20th century, their numbers drastically declined. This decline was primarily due to widespread habitat loss from human encroachment and agricultural expansion, and extensive hunting by British colonial parties and Indian royalty, exacerbated by firearms.
By the 1880s, only about a dozen Asiatic lions remained in the Gir Forest, then part of the Nawab of Junagadh’s hunting grounds. Recognizing the threat, the Nawab of Junagadh banned lion hunting in his territory, initiating early conservation efforts. A significant turning point came in 1965 when the Indian Forest Department established the Gir Protected Area, dedicated to Asiatic lion protection.
Conservation efforts have been comprehensive, involving habitat restoration, anti-poaching, and community involvement. The Indian government launched initiatives like the “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project” in 2018 and “Project Lion” in 2020, focusing on scientific management, disease control, and mitigating human-lion conflict. These programs have included deploying trained forest guards, implementing advanced monitoring techniques like SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool), and fostering collaboration with local communities. Despite successes, concentrating the entire wild Asiatic lion population in a single area presents challenges, including vulnerability to disease outbreaks and natural disasters. To address this, discussions and plans are ongoing to establish a second independent population, possibly in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh or Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat.