Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, on Thursday inaugurated the ‘Lion’ Species Spotlight Event at Sasan Gir, Gujarat. The programme was organised as part of the series of Pre-Summit Species Events under the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026.
The event was presided over by Chief Minister (Gujarat), Bhupendra Patel, through virtual medium. In his address, Patel highlighted the crucial role of community participation in the conservation of the Asiatic Lion. He noted that the lion is an integral part of the region’s popular culture, which has contributed to the flourishing population of Asiatic Lions in Gir.
Patel said that Gir stands as a living example of how economic progress can go hand in hand with wildlife conservation through an ecological approach. He also informed about the steps taken by the Union and State Governments under various big cat conservation initiatives, including the development of Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as a new site for the natural dispersal of Asiatic lions.
Addressing the gathering, Bhupender Yadav informed that India will host the first-ever IBCA Summit 2026 in New Delhi on June 1–2, 2026, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by technical sessions on June 1–2.
He said the summit with tagline — Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem — would bring together Heads of State and Government, Ministers, policymakers, scientists, conservation practitioners, multilateral agencies, financial institutions, partner organisations and 400 representatives from 95 range countries across Asia, Africa and the Americas.
IBCA serves as a global coalition dedicated to the conservation of seven iconic Big Cat species — Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma — through collaborative international action and strengthened scientific and technical cooperation, he added.
The Minister described Sasan Gir as a living symbol of India’s rich biodiversity, sensitivity towards nature and commitment to conservation. He stated that the Gir lion is not only the identity of Gujarat, but also a symbol of the pride, courage and natural heritage of the entire nation.
The Minister informed how under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi various steps like Asiatic Lion Population Estimation initiative, National Wildlife Referral Centre in Junagadh and developing Barda National Wildlife Sanctuary as the site for natural dispersal of Asiatic Lion, are being taken ahead in mission mode.
Yadav said the IBCA Summit 2026 will further strengthen international cooperation, public awareness, knowledge sharing and adoption of best conservation practices to secure a stronger socio-ecological future for Big Cats and their habitats.
The dignitaries also launched a ‘Lion Conservation Brochure’ during the event. Besides this, detailed presentations and educational films on conservation efforts being taken for Big Cats were shown to the gathering that included students from various educational institutions of the region.
