10th August - World Lion Day

Every year, the 10th of August is celebrated as World Lion Day to raise awareness about this majestic and courageous animal, and to mobilise support for their protection and conservation. The theme for World Lion Day 2022 was “Asiatic Lions”. The theme for the 2023 World Lion Day is yet to be announced.

Over the past one hundred years, the number of Lions across the world has seen a decline of around 80%. Conserving and preserving this species of big cats and spreading awareness about their conservation led to the initiation of this day, a few years back. 

Such important days, that hold some significance of national or international interest are also important for the IAS exam and other competitive exams conducted in the country. More often, objective type questions based on the theme, day and its significance can be asked in the paper. 

World Lion Day [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

Thus, candidates must once go through the List of Important Days and Dates for UPSC prelims preparation. 

History and Background of World Tiger Day

• It is since 2013 that World Lion Day is being observed to spread awareness about conserving and protecting the majestic Lion
• There had been a rapid decrease in the number of lions across the world that had resulted in observing this day to mark its importance and significance of the aminal for the environment and ecosystem

Significance of Lions & This Day

• According to the World Wide Fund (WWF), lions were once found throughout Africa, Asia and Europe but their numbers have significantly dropped over the years in these continents 
• These majestic cats that symbolise courage, ferocity, and power are threatened by extensive habitat loss
• Thus, to protect them and their habitats, measures are being taken by concerned communities and other organisations  

As far as India is concerned, it is home to the majestic Asiatic Lion, which inhabits the protected territory of Sasan-Gir National Park. 

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Key Facts on Lions and their Status

• Scientific Name-
  • African lion – Panthera leo leo
  • Asian Lion – Panthera leo persica
• Status of Asiatic Lion-
  • Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
  • Appendix I of CITES
  • Endangered on IUCN Red List
• Status of African Lion-
• • Vulnerable on IUCN Red List
• Causes of Decline in Number- 
  • Significant threats of poaching
  • Illegal wildlife trade
  • Human-Wildlife Conflict
  • Habitat loss and fragmentation

Status of Lions in India & Conservation Initiatives

• India is home to the majestic Asiatic Lion, and their protected habitat is the Gir National Park in Gujarat
• The Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project was introduced by the government of India to protect the remaining population of the Asiatic lion through relocation to other parts of the country via reintroduction
• Six new sites apart from the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary have been identified under Project Lion by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2020. The programme has been launched for the conservation of the Asiatic Lion, whose last remaining wild population is in Gujarat’s Asiatic Lion Landscape (ALL)
• The six new sites identified for possible lion relocation in the future include:
  • Madhav National Park, Madhya Pradesh
  • Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
  • Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
  • Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh
  • Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
  • Jessore-Balaram Ambaji WLS and adjoining landscape, Gujarat

Conclusion

Lions are carnivores and have no natural predators besides man, which makes them apex predators or keystone species. Thus, it plays a key role in the food chain of the ecosystem. 

The extinction of Lions can severely impact the entire ecosystem and the existence of various other species. 

Thus, by marking out a special day for Lions, the authorities intend to spread awareness about their existence and conservation across the globe for a healthy environment and life cycle. 

World Lion Day [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

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