Context:
Recently, IUCN status of Asiatic lion got recategorized to vulnerable from endangered indicating a positive shift in its conservation status.
Asiatic Lions:
- Also known as Persian lions or Indian lions
- A subspecies of lion which are slightly smaller than African lions
- Distribution – Turkey, across Asia to eastern India
- Earlier distributed – West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh
- Habitat – Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only abode at present
- 1 among the 5 big cats found in India – Better known as ‘the king of beasts’
- Conservation Status –
- IUCN – Vulnerable
- WPA – Schedule I
- CITES – Appendix I
- Due to genetic similarity between Central African, West African and Asiatic Lions – IUCN clubbed all 3 under subspecies of African lion
Project Lion:
- Aim – Conservation of the Asiatic Lion and its landscape in a holistic manner
- Implemented in – The Gir landscape in Gujarat (last home of the Asiatic lion)
- Implemented by – The State Government of Gujarat and other stakeholders like Central Zoo Authority
- Addresses – Human-wildlife conflict
Source: Times of India
Previous Year Question
Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) Kanha National Park
(b) Manas National Park
(c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
(d) Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary
Answer: (a)