Gir national park

As Gujarat’s lions grow from 674 to 891, they’re learning to share space with farmers, roam new landscapes, and offer rare lessons in coexistence and hope. Here's how one of India's rarest species is holding on.

For the past three decades, the Jhariya family from Bhalchhel village in Gir, Gujarat, have been sourcing mangoes across India to create a unique mango orchard

“But what has undoubtedly weighed with the Nawabs of Junagadh in the past and carries weight also with me is that the forest is the last sanctuary of Indian lions,” said the last Nawab of Junagadh.

Meet Rasila Wadher who has rescued a total of 1,100 wild animals including 400 leopards, 200 lions, crocodiles, pythons and birds.

The Gir forest of Gujarat is home to a gutsy brigade of women who are tirelessly and fearlessly working towards preserving the populations of the Asiatic lion.