Gujarat hosts IBCA 2026 pre-event focusing on Asiatic lion protection

Asiatic lion conservation took centre stage on Thursday as Chief Minster Bhupendra Patel virtually inaugurated the first pre-event of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026, showcasing Gujarat’s achievements in wildlife preservation and biodiversity-led development.The pre-event on lion conservation was organised at Sasan Gir by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as part of preparations for the International Big Cat Alliance Summit 2026, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on June 1 and 2.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Gujarat Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia, and Minister of State for Forests Pravin Kumar Mali also participated in the programme.
Addressing the gathering virtually from Gandhinagar, Patel said Gujarat’s conservation initiatives reflected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of balancing “Development and Heritage”.“The successful conservation of the Asiatic lion in Gir reflects the integration of ecology with emotion. It has strengthened biodiversity while also boosting the local economy,” Patel said.He noted that the Asiatic lion population in Gujarat had risen from 284 in 1991 to 891 at present due to sustained conservation efforts and efficient forest management practices. Over the past two-and-a-half decades, the habitat range of lions has expanded from three districts to 11 districts across the state.Patel also highlighted the development of Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as a second habitat for Asiatic lions, stating that 24 lions are currently residing there following natural migration and conservation measures.The chief minister further referred to the Rs 2,000 crore “Project Lion”, under which breeding centres, isolation facilities, upgraded treatment centres, radio-collar tracking systems and drone surveillance are being developed to strengthen lion protection.
Speaking at the event, Yadav said the IBCA Summit would bring together global policymakers, wildlife experts, scientists and conservation stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for protecting major feline species worldwide.“India has offered a new direction for wildlife conservation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The summit will enhance international cooperation and pave the way for the Delhi Declaration as a framework for wildlife protection,” Yadav said.He added that while seven major big cat species are found across 55 countries globally, India is home to five species — lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards and cheetahs.
As part of the preparations for the summit, similar thematic pre-events are planned in other states, including cheetah conservation in Bhopal, leopard conservation in Bhubaneswar, snow leopard conservation in Gangtok and tiger conservation in Chandrapur.Modhwadia said Gujarat is also working towards creating a permanent habitat for tigers and is exploring possibilities of introducing cheetahs in the future.A brochure highlighting wildlife conservation initiatives in Sasan Gir was released during the programme, which was attended by officials from the forest department and the International Big Cat Alliance.

(State Correspondent)