World wildlife day PM Modi at Gir National Park

PM Modi visited Gir Wildlife Sanctuary on World Wildlife Day, chaired NBWL meeting, and lauded Project Lion’s conservation efforts in Gujarat.

On Monday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat’s Junagadh district to mark World Wildlife Day. His visit included a lion safari, a key highlight of his trip to the region. The Prime Minister stayed overnight at Sinh Sadan, a forest guesthouse managed by the Gujarat Forest Department in Sasan, after offering prayers at the Lord Shiva temple in Somnath on Sunday evening.

From Sinh Sadan, Modi embarked on the lion safari with several ministers and senior forest department officials. His visit to Sasan Gir, the headquarters of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, also included chairing the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). The board, comprising 47 members such as the Chief of Army Staff, chief wildlife wardens, representatives from NGOs, and senior government officials, aims to address vital issues related to wildlife conservation across India. The meeting is expected to focus on strategies to enhance conservation efforts.

After the meeting, Modi is set to engage with women forest staffers at Sasan Gir, emphasizing the significant role they play in wildlife protection and conservation efforts.

Additionally, a government release confirmed that the central government has allocated over Rs 2,900 crore for Project Lion, a vital initiative dedicated to the conservation of the Asiatic lion, which is found exclusively in Gujarat. This substantial funding is expected to support the protection and expansion of the lion population and their habitat, ensuring the long-term sustainability of this iconic species. The boost for Project Lion reflects the government’s commitment to wildlife conservation, reinforcing the importance of preserving biodiversity in India.