Environment News

Second Lion Habitat – Barda

October 5 , 2026 11 hrs 0 min 96 0

Gujarat has restructured the Porbandar Forest Division to strengthen forest management and develop Barda, Gujarat, as a second habitat for Asiatic lions.
The restructuring follows the natural return of Asiatic lions to Barda after 143 years.
Gujarat’s 2026 lion census recorded 891 Asiatic lions, up from 674 in 2020.
Barda is in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat and will provide an alternative habitat beyond the Gir landscape.
Gir landscape in Gujarat is the first and main natural habitat of Asiatic lions.
The Asiatic lion is classified as Endangered by the IUCN and is naturally found only in Gujarat.