Lions Roar Back: Barda Sanctuary Sees Major Population Boom

Barda Wildlife Sanctuary has witnessed a remarkable natural increase in its Asiatic lion population, now standing at 26 individuals, a notable rise from the 17 recorded in August 2025. This surge, with a majority of the new lions being cubs, strongly suggests that the sanctuary's environment is ideal for their survival and reproduction. Forest officials, including Deputy Conservator Chirag Chandgude, highlight this natural growth as proof of successful habitat management and sufficient food availability.

The sanctuary, historically a lion habitat over 145 years ago, had no resident lions until 2023. The forest department's strategic efforts, initiated in 2014, focused on building a robust prey base through dedicated breeding centers for chital and sambar. These initiatives began showing results in January 2023 when a sub-adult male lion established its territory in Barda. Subsequently, five lionesses were relocated from Gir, leading to successful breeding and the establishment of a resident population.

Barda, covering 192.31 sq km within Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts, is recognized as a vital biodiversity hotspot for Asiatic lion conservation. The area boasts a sufficient prey base, naturally supported by blue bulls and wild boars, in addition to the managed populations of chital and sambar. Forest officials continue to diligently monitor prey availability and water sources to ensure the lions' well-being.

Beyond conservation, Barda offers significant potential for wildlife tourism. A lion-safari route, launched in October 2024, has already attracted increased visitor numbers, with around 3,300 tourists in 2025-26 compared to 2,200 in 2024-25. The introduction of a second safari route is anticipated, further enhancing the region's appeal as part of the Dwarka-Porbandar-Somnath tourist circuit.