Hyderabad, April 7 -- In the first week of March, India's Prime Minister visited Gir National Park in Gujarat to mark World Wildlife Day. He embarked on a lion safari to see the Asiatic lions and praised the collective efforts that have led to a steady increase in their population over two decades. He promised to expand conservation efforts beyond the park to a 30,000 sq km area.

In this context, let's look at the reality on the ground at Gir.

Once, the mighty Asiatic Lion ruled vast lands, from Greece's golden shores to the sun-scorched Middle East and India's sprawling grasslands. Now, it clings to survival, its last bastion hidden deep in Gujarat's Gir Forest. Here, amidst rugged terrain and emerald canopies, its roar still thunders-...