Asiatic Lion Conservation Project launched

Asiatic Lion Conservation Project

Question: What is the fund contribution ratio of Centre-State in the Asiatic Lion Conservation Project?
(a) 50:50
(b) 60:40
(c) 70:30
(d) 90:10
Answer: (b)
Related facts:

  • On 20th December, 2018, The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India has launched the “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project”.
  • This project seeks to strengthen the ongoing measures for conservation and recovery of Asiatic Lion with the help of state-of-the –art techniques/ instruments, regular scientific research studies, disease management, Modern surveillance/ patrolling techniques.
  • A total budget of Rs. 9784 lakh for 3 years has been allocated by government which is to be funded from the Centrally Sponsored Scheme- Development of Wildlife Habitat (CSS-DWH) with the contributing ratio being 60:40 of Central and State share.

Asiatic Lion:

  • Asiatic Lion (scientific name Panthera leo leo) is an ‘Endangered’ specie in IUCN Red List.
  • Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions.  The most striking morphological character which is always seen in Asiatic lions and rarely in African lions is a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly. 
  • Its population is confined to the Gir National Park and environs in the Indian state of Gujarat.

Conservation Concerns:

  • With comprehensive protection measures by the State Government and the Center Government, number of Asiatic lions have increased to the current population of over 500.This figure was at 50 by late 1890.
  • As per Census 2015, population of Asiatic Lions was marked to 523 in Gir Protected Area Network of 1648.79 sq. km. that includes Gir National Park, Gir Sanctuary, Pania Sanctuary, Mitiyala Sanctuary adjoining reserved forests, Protected Forests, and Unclassed Forests.
  • Asiatic Lion is included in the list of 21 critically endangered species for recovery programme and financial assistance under the species recovery component of CSS-DWH.
  • The project activities are conceptualized to encourage habitat improvement, scientific interventions, disease control and veterinary care supplemented with adequate eco development works for the fringe population in order to ensure a stable and viable Lion population in the Country.

Links:

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=186688

https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/priority_species/threatened_species/asiatic_lion/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asiatic_lion