World Lion Day 2025 celebrations, held at the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in the Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat. They beautifully capture the spirit of the event and the majestic presence of Asiatic lions.
The main state-level celebration was held at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Timbdi area, Bhanvad Taluka. It was led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, alongside other dignitaries.Lakhs of students across 11 districts in the Greater Gir Lion Landscape participated through satellite communication—linking Gujarat’s lion conservation efforts with educational outreach.The latest census shows a significant rise in Asiatic lion numbers—from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025, marking a 32% increase. Bhupender Yadav hailed this as “an astounding success” and a testament to India’s wildlife conservation commitment.

The event marked the launch of a ₹180 crore conservation and eco-tourism initiative. Key projects include:
A ₹75 crore safari park and tourist facilities over 248 hectares.Eco-development and breeding centers, rescue infrastructure, community relocation schemes, and deployment of patrol/rescue vehicles.Overall emphasis on sustainable habitat expansion and biodiversity support.

Yadav praised Gujarat’s co-existence model—with local communities like the Maldharis in Gir—as a global example of ecocentrism. Yet scientists caution that concentrating the entire Asiatic lion population in one state poses risks like disease and habitat fragmentation.
World Lion Day 2025 in Gujarat spotlighted a deeply symbolic achievement in wildlife recovery—rooted in conservation strategies like Project Lion, community stewardship, and strategic expansion into Barda. The event combined celebration with substantial investments, setting the stage for sustainable ecological and tourism growth.