India is experiencing an escalating human-lion conflict, particularly in the western state of Gujarat, where the wild Asiatic lion population has surged dramatically over recent years. The 2025 census reported a 32% increase in the lion population since 2020, now numbering 891 individuals, with lions spreading beyond their traditional Gir forest habitat into nearby districts and human settlements.
This growing lion presence has heightened tensions between wildlife and local communities. Research published in Conservation Biology highlights a 10% annual increase in villages reporting livestock losses due to lion predation and a 15% rise in livestock fatalities over a five-year period. While attacks on humans remain relatively stable at about 21 per year, these incidents have created significant fear and economic hardship among residents, particularly in agricultural and non-forested areas where lions are increasingly found.
Tragic events have occurred, including a recent attack where a five-year-old boy was killed by a lion in Amreli district, underscoring the dangers faced by villagers living close to lion habitats. Authorities have urged vigilance and have emphasized the need for improved community awareness about the risks, especially during the lions' mating season when their behavior is more aggressive.
The increase in human-lion conflict has sparked calls for better legal frameworks and policies to protect human welfare without compromising conservation efforts. For example, states like Kerala are advocating for amendments to wildlife protection laws to enable faster decision-making in emergencies involving dangerous wild animals.
Efforts such as India’s Project Lion, a significant government conservation program, aim to balance lion population growth with community safety, promoting coexistence through measures like lion-based ecotourism and compensation schemes for livestock losses. Despite these initiatives, managing the expanding lion range in densely populated human areas remains a complex challenge.