India, Aug. 10 -- Every year on August 10, stakeholders worldwide celebrate World Lion Day to raise awareness about declining lion populations in the wild. The story of lion conservation in Africa highlights threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, which must be addressed in broader landscape conservation efforts. In contrast, lion conservation in India, particularly in the Gir and Greater Gir landscapes of Gujarat, stands out as one of the most notable successes among the world's big cats.

Historically, the Asiatic lion inhabited regions across Asia, spanning from Persia and Mesopotamia to the Indian subcontinent. Overhunting and habitat loss diminished their numbers, leaving only around 40-60 lions in the Gi...