What happened: India’s Asiatic lion population reported to increase
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stated that India’s Asiatic lion population increased from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025. The Minister’s statement provides the latest reported population figure and the earlier comparison figure used to show change over time.
Background and earlier position: Project Lion and its stated Conservation supports
Bhupender Yadav linked the reported increase to Project Lion, launched in 2020. The Minister described Project Lion as supporting multiple areas of work needed for lion recovery, including habitat improvement, disease monitoring, scientific tracking, and community participation.
What Project Lion supports (as stated by Bhupender Yadav)
Project Lion, launched in 2020, is described by Bhupender Yadav as supporting the following components:
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