PM chairs National Wildlife Board meet , announces lion census

On the occasion of World Wildlife Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat’s Junagadh district, where he participated in a lion safari and chaired the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). The visit underscores the government's commitment to Project Lion, an initiative aimed at conserving and expanding the population of Asiatic lions through strategic efforts and community involvement.
PM Modi, who is on a three-day tour of Gujarat, arrived in Sasan Gir on Sunday evening after offering prayers at the Somnath temple,according to official release. He spent the night at Sinh Sadan, a forest guest house managed by the state forest department. On Monday morning, he embarked on a safari at Gir, home to the endangered Asiatic lion, accompanied by senior forest department officials and ministers. Following the safari, the Prime Minister chaired the NBWL meeting, which includes 47 members such as the Chief of Army Staff, representatives from various states, NGOs, and wildlife experts. The meeting focused on key conservation policies, with a special emphasis on habitat protection and community-driven conservation efforts.
Taking to social media platform X, Modi reflected on his visit, recalling his previous conservation efforts as Gujarat’s Chief Minister. “This morning, on World Wildlife Day, I went on a safari in Gir, which is home to the majestic Asiatic lion. Over the years, collective efforts have ensured a steady rise in their population. The role of tribal communities and women from surrounding areas in preserving their habitat is equally commendable,” he wrote.

A memorable visit to Gir! Have a look at the highlights... pic.twitter.com/DTqzwlerTc

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2025

During his Gujarat tour, the Prime Minister also visited the Vantara animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Jamnagar, an initiative by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation. Additionally, he offered prayers at Somnath temple, fulfilling a personal resolution made after the conclusion of the ‘Ekta ka Maha Kumbh’ in Prayagraj. “I dedicate the successful achievement of the Maha Kumbh of Unity to the feet of Shri Somnath Bhagwan. I also prayed for the health and prosperity of all countrymen,” he wrote in Hindi. On the occasion, Modi laid the foundation stone for the National Referral Centre-Wildlife at Junagadh and announced the 16th Asiatic lion population estimation to be carried out in May this year. He also announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management, SACON, at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, and unveiled a book on river dolphins.
The NBWL, a statutory body that advises the government on wildlife conservation, has 47 members, including the Chief of Army Staff, members from different states, representatives from NGOs working in this field, chief wildlife wardens and secretaries from various states. The prime minister is the ex-officio chairperson of the NBWL, and the Union environment, forests and climate change minister is the board's vice-chairperson.
The theme for World Wildlife Day 2025 is ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,’ aligning with the government’s broader vision of integrating conservation with sustainable development. After the NBWL meeting, Modi is scheduled to interact with women forest staffers in Sasan, acknowledging their crucial role in wildlife conservation.

(State Correspondent)