On World Wildlife Day, PM Modi undertakes Safari tour of Gir forest | See pics

In honour of World Wildlife Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent Monday morning on a lion safari in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat’s Junagadh district.

Modi stated in a post on X that the Asiatic lion population has steadily increased as a result of group efforts and praised the role played by local women and tribal people in protecting the habitat of the Asiatic lions.

“This morning, on #WorldWildlifeDay, I went on a Safari in Gir, which, as we all know, is home to the majestic Asiatic Lion. Coming to Gir also brings back many memories of the work we collectively did when I was serving as Gujarat CM,” he said.

“In the last many years, collective efforts have ensured that the population of Asiatic Lions is rising steadily. Equally commendable is the role of tribal communities and women from surrounding areas in preserving the habitat of the Asiatic Lion,” Modi added.

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This morning, on #WorldWildlifeDay, I went on a Safari in Gir, which, as we all know, is home to the majestic Asiatic Lion. Coming to Gir also brings back many memories of the work we collectively did when I was serving as Gujarat CM. In the last many years, collective efforts… pic.twitter.com/S8XMmn2zN7

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2025

The prime minister also posted pictures of lions that he came across during the safari.

Lions and lionesses in Gir! Tried my hand at some photography this morning. pic.twitter.com/TKBMKCGA7m

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2025

Here are some more glimpses from Gir. I urge you all to come and visit Gir in the future. pic.twitter.com/IKIFI9hcgI

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2025

Modi was accompanied on the safari by senior forest department officials, other ministers, including Union Minister of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.

Later, the PM travelled to Sasan Gir, the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary’s headquarters, to preside over the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife.

Gujarat is the only home for Asiatic lions, for which the national government has sanctioned more than Rs 2,900 crore for Project Lion, according to a government statement.

According to the report, Asiatic lions currently occupy 53 talukas in 9 districts of Gujarat, covering an area of around 30,000 square kilometres.

Additionally, as part of a national project, a National Referral Centre for Wildlife is being established on over 20.24 hectares of land at New Pipalya in Junagadh district, it said.

A high-tech monitoring centre for wildlife tracking and a state-of-the-art hospital have also been set up in Sasan to strengthen conservation efforts, the release said.

Earlier, Modi had a night halt at Sinh Sadan, a forest guest house managed by the state forest department, in Sasan after his arrival from Somnath where he offered prayers at the Lord Shiv temple, the first among 12 jyotirlingas, on Sunday evening.

On Sunday, Modi also visited Vantara, an animal rescue, conservation and rehabilitation centre located at the Reliance Jamnagar refinery complex.

It is a rescue centre dedicated to the welfare of captive elephants and wildlife, providing sanctuary, rehabilitation and medical care to animals rescued from abuse and exploitation.