The government has declared 1.84 lakh hectares around the Gir Protected Area as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) on 25 September 2024.
The goal is to protect Asiatic lions in Gir, their only natural home, while allowing for sustainable development.
State Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera mentioned that the current ESZ includes areas within 10 km of the Gir boundary, covering 196 villages in three districts and 17 rivers. The new zone will add over 24,000 hectares of forest and 1.59 lakh hectares of non-forest land.
