As the only population of Asiatic lion, the lion population in the Gir Reserve in India has been under threat from human population growth and the effects of climate change. In recent years however, successful conservation management has resulted in an increasing number of lions inside the reserve as well as in the agro-pastoral landscape adjacent to the Gir Reserve.
Although the attitude of local people towards lions has been one of cultural tolerance and coexistence, the recent increase in lion numbers has forced management to focus more on human-lion conflict mitigation. The continued survival of lions in the landscape depends on careful management planning as well as fostering tolerance of local people. Plans are therefore underway to establish wildlife corridors that could facilitate alternative routes for lions to use.
Leo Foundation has signed an agreement with the Carnivore Conservation and Research Foundation (CCR) to implement a project aiming to establish an awareness raising campaign and an environmental education program for 2000 pupils at 20 elementary schools in villages around the Gir reserve.
