27 May 2026 Gandhinagar: Bhupendra Patel chaired a high-level review meeting in Gandhinagar to assess the situation following the recent deaths of lion cubs in the Gir region and to monitor preventive measures being undertaken by the Forest Department.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that the deaths of four lion cubs were reported from different locations in the Gir landscape. As a precautionary measure, around 17 lions from the affected areas have been isolated and are being closely monitored and cared for, according to Additional Chief Secretary for Forest and Environment Dr. Vinod Rao.
Authorities stated that intensive monitoring is currently being conducted for all lions within a 10-kilometre radius of the Gir Gadhada and Babariya areas. So far, no symptoms of any major infectious disease have been observed among the monitored lions.
The Forest Department is also carrying out continuous surveillance of lions residing in revenue areas of Amreli and Bhavnagar districts, with daily reports being submitted to senior officials.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister was informed that, as part of seasonal disease prevention measures typically undertaken during the onset of summer, more than 350 lions in the Gir region are undergoing de-ticking treatment and other healthcare interventions.
Senior officials further stated that expert veterinarians from Junagadh Veterinary College have also joined the monitoring and treatment efforts to ensure the health and safety of the Asiatic lion population.
The meeting was attended by senior government and forest officials, including Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjeev Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Vikrant Pandey, Head of Forest Force Jaipal Singh, and Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Ajay Kumar.
The state government reiterated its commitment to wildlife conservation and assured that all necessary preventive and veterinary measures are being taken to safeguard the lions in the Gir ecosystem.
