New Delhi, Feb. 7 -- Incidents of lions killing domestic animals in Gujarat's Gir forest have steadily increased, reaching a peak of 4,385 in 2023-24, according to recent government data.

This is despite an increase in prey animals within the Gir forest -- the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion -- over the past six years.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, citing data from the Gujarat government, informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that incidents of lions killing domestic animals rose from 2,605 in 2019-20 to 3,244 in 2020-21, 3,659 in 2021-22, 3,670 in 2022-23, and 4,385 in 2023-24. There is a sufficient prey base for lions in Gir and the population of the prey animals has been increasing, he said.

Data shows the number ...