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• According to the latest wild life population estimate, the population of 21 species including lion, peacock, nilgai, vandra, kaaliyar, dipra, sambhar, chinkara is estimated to be more than 9.53 lakh in the state.

Gandhinagar, December 4, 2025: World Wildlife Conservation Day Gujarat has always been a safe state for the promotion and protection of wild animals. Strict laws, rules and schemes have been implemented to protect the natural forests, ecosystems, endangered plants and animals and to protect the environment. According to the last wild life population estimate, in the year 2023, the state has recorded an estimated population of more than 9.53 lakh of 21 species including lion, peacock, nilgai, vandra, black cow, leopard, sambar, chinkara, which is a matter of pride for Gujaratis.

It is noteworthy that every year 04 December is celebrated as ‘World Wildlife Conservation Day’ all over the world including Gujarat and India. On this day, special programs are organized in the country to make citizens aware about saving the endangered wild animals and birds.

Lion population in Gujarat ‘Asiatic Lion’ is the pride of Gujarat and India. While the Asiatic lion of Gujarat is the jewel of the state, the presence of the tiger has recently been recorded in the Ratan Mahal Sanctuary in Dahod, Gujarat, which adds to the richness of the conservation heritage of the state. Now, not only in terms of geographical condition and climate, but also due to the careful and consistent approach towards wildlife conservation of the state government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the number of lions has increased progressively.

 After the king of the jungle, Gujarat is now the abode of the tiger as well.
 For the first time in the state, ‘Chitta Conservation Breeding Centre’ will be prepared in Kachchhna Banni area.
 Approximately 18 to 20 lakh migratory birds were recorded in various flooded areas this year.
 In the last 14 years, there has been an increase of 355 and 276 percent respectively in the number of migratory birds in the flooded areas of Thol and Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary.

Under the guidance of the state government, comprehensive and result-oriented steps are continuously being taken for the conservation and promotion of Asiatic lions. As a result, the number of lions in Gujarat was 327 in the year 2001, 359 in the year 2005, 411 in the year 2010, 523 in the year 2015 and 674 in the year 2020, which has now increased to 891 in the year 2025.

Under the guidance of Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State Praveen Mali, various animal and bird loving organizations including the Forest Department are carrying out fruitful work for animal and bird conservation and protection. According to the population estimate for 2023, more than 2.85 lakh national bird peacock, more than 2.24 lakh Nilgai, more than 02 lakh Vandra and more than one lakh wild boar and Chittal were seen in the state. Apart from this, 9,170 blackbuck, 8,221 sambar, 6,208 chinkara, 2,299 jackal, 2,274 leopard, 2,272 leopard, 2,143 vulture, 1,484 vanier, more than 1,000 Choshinga, apart from this, a total of more than 9.53 lakh animals including male deer, bear and buffalo have been registered.

Apart from this, an estimated 18 to 20 lakh migratory birds have been recorded in various flooded areas, lakes and ponds of the state in the year 2024, which means that Gujarat has become the state of first choice for them. In the year 2010, 31,380 birds had arrived in Thol Bird Sanctuary, which has increased to more than 1.11 lakh migratory birds in the year 2024. Whereas, more than 1.31 lakh migratory birds were recorded in Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in the year 2010 while more than 3.62 lakh birds were recorded in the year 2024. In the last 14 years, the sequence of migratory birds in the flooded areas of Thol and Nalsarovar bird sanctuaries has increased by 355 and 276 percent. As a result, Gujarat has emerged as a ‘paradise’ for ‘bird life’.

It is noteworthy that according to the dolphin census conducted in Gujarat in the last year 2024, a population of 680 dolphins and 7,672 dolphins has been recorded. Which is a special achievement in the field of wildlife conservation for the entire state.

Various initiatives for wildlife conservation and promotion:
The Wildlife Branch of the Forest Department conducts Wildlife Rescue Release Operation in all the district levels of the state in order to solve the problems to wild animals in the areas inhabited by wild animals as well as in the areas inhabited by local people. Various measures are being taken continuously to prevent conflict between wildlife and humans.

The Central Government has given approval to set up a Cheetah Conservation Breeding Center in Kachchhna Banni area. To study various aspects to this breeding centre, Gujarat officials associated with wildlife have collected necessary details by conducting a field visit to Kuno-Palpur National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Apart from this, the wild animals kept for breeding in the breeding centers in Gujarat and the newly born wild animals as per requirement for breeding, surplus wild animals kept in other breeding centers and forest areas have been released.

Since 2017, every year in the state, in collaboration with the Forest Department and various organizations, ‘Karuna Abhiyan’ is organized to provide treatment to injured birds during Uttarayan, in which thousands of birds injured in various ways, including those caused by kite strings, are given proper treatment and released. Under this campaign, more than 17 thousand birds injured by kite strings during Uttarayan in the year 2025 were rescued and treated.

It is worth mentioning that, for the conservation and promotion of wild animals and birds, water facilities are provided to the wild animals and birds even in the scorching heat of summer. When migratory birds make the land of Gujarat their home of migratory birds during winter, it is a moment of honor for the citizens of the state.

Sardar @150 Naib Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi participated as a pedestrian in Vadodara under the Unity March.