World Lion Day: PM Narendra Modi Applauds The Spirit Of Individuals On Protecting The Habitat Of Asiatic Lions

World Lion Day: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi took to Twitter to celebrate the dedication of the individuals working towards protecting the habitat of lions on the occasion of World Lion Day.

World Lion Day aims to create awareness regarding the unpleasant condition faced by lions.

World Lion Day

The celebration of World Lion Day came into existence in 2013. It was headed by Beverly Joubert and Dereck Joubert, a couple is passionate about wild cats and its preservation. After noticing the drastic fall in the number of lions present worldwide, they decided to contact ‘National Geographic’ for its support.

Partnering with them, the couple came up with the Big Cat Initiative (BCI) in 2009 whose major objective included the protection and preservation of the remaining lion species.

Lions are admired for their fearsome and arresting personalities. They are considered as the most wee-known and popular animal species in the world. Lions have made their way in to the pop culture through iconic movies like ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Madagascar’.

Though they existed in large numbers earlier, today, their population has been challenged as a result of poaching and hunting. Therefore, World Lion Day brings attention to this endangered species by raising funds and coming up with appropriate protective measures.

Asiatic Lions in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India

Gir national park in Gujarat is home to the world’s only Asiatic lion population and the only place outside Africa where a lion can be seen in its natural habitat. Now, there has been a rise in the number of this spectacular species with about 400 in Gir and 300 in other parts of the state.

Today, PM Modi expressed his contentment on the successful increase in the number of Asiatic lions in India.

“India is proud to be home to the Asiatic Lions and over the last few years there has been a steady rise in the lion population in India. I laud all those working towards protecting the habitat of lions. May we continue to cherish and protect them, ensuring they thrive for generations to come,” PM tweeted.

Other major politicians like Bhupendra Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister of Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GOI, also tweeted conveying the persistent conservation and remarkable efforts of the community in preserving lions in Gujarat.