Question map
Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites ?
Explanation
A proposal to translocate some lions from Gujarat to Kuno, which was part of the historical range of the lion in India, was long pending.[3] Lion relocation has been discussed since 1995, when the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was identified as an alternate site.[4] The Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was chosen as the most suitable habitat[7] for the translocation project. The reason for finding a relocation site is because the population in Gir has low genetic diversity, making it vulnerable to threats from epidemics.[4] Therefore, the correct answer is Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary (Option B), which has been the designated site for Asiatic lion translocation from Gujarat's Gir forest.
Sources- [4] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > 16.2 PROJECT LION > p. 231
- [5] https://ceibatrust.org/2022/03/pride-and-preyjudice-conservation-issues-affecting-the-asiatic-lion/
- [6] https://ceibatrust.org/2022/03/pride-and-preyjudice-conservation-issues-affecting-the-asiatic-lion/
- [7] https://ceibatrust.org/2022/03/pride-and-preyjudice-conservation-issues-affecting-the-asiatic-lion/
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis question rewards reading the 'Conservation Efforts' chapter of standard books (Shankar IAS) or following major environmental court cases. The 'Gujarat vs MP' lion tussle was a decade-long Supreme Court saga. If you missed this, you missed a headline story, not a footnote.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Was there a proposal to translocate some Asiatic lions from Gir in Gujarat to Corbett National Park?
- Statement 2: Was there a proposal to translocate some Asiatic lions from Gir in Gujarat to Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary?
- Statement 3: Was there a proposal to translocate some Asiatic lions from Gir in Gujarat to Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary?
- Statement 4: Was there a proposal to translocate some Asiatic lions from Gir in Gujarat to Sariska National Park?
- Explicitly states a proposal to translocate lions from Gujarat to Kuno (a different site), showing the target of proposed translocations.
- Indicates the proposal was long pending and opposed by Gujarat, demonstrating the historical debate over relocation destinations.
- Describes Madhya Pradesh being developed as a site to introduce Asiatic lions from Gir, supporting that relocation plans focused on MP (Kuno/Palpur) rather than Corbett.
- Mentions concrete planning and resettlement in MP for introducing lions from Gir, showing the approved relocation target was in MP.
- Summarizes decades of discussion about translocating lions to geographically distant parks and states that Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was chosen as the most suitable habitat.
- Supports that the well-documented translocation proposal targeted Kuno rather than Corbett.
Explicitly states that lion relocation has been discussed since 1995 and that Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was identified as an alternate site due to low genetic diversity in Gir.
A student could use this pattern (relocation proposals do occur and specific sites are identified) to check whether Corbett was ever named in similar official discussions or proposals.
Lists the Asiatic lion as a species the central government announced projects for protecting, implying central involvement in recovery measures that can include translocation.
One could extend this by looking for central-government recovery plans or notifications to see if Corbett was considered as a destination under such programmes.
Identifies Corbett National Park as a major, established tiger reserve (example of protected-area role in species conservation).
Using this, a student could assess ecological compatibility (Corbett is primarily a tiger reserve) and search whether translocation of lions to a tiger reserve was proposed or debated.
States the natural habitat of the Indian (Asiatic) lion is Gir forest in Gujarat, underscoring that Gir is the species' endemic stronghold and relocation would involve moving them out of their native landscape.
A student might combine this with a map and habitat facts to judge whether Corbett (in Uttarakhand) is ecologically plausible as a relocation site and then look for records of such a proposal.
Lists both Jim Corbett National Park and Gir National Park as distinct, named national parks, highlighting they are separate administrative/biogeographic units.
A student could use this separation to guide searches for inter-state or inter-park translocation proposals (e.g., Gujarat → Uttarakhand) and check official inter-state correspondence or proposals.
- Explicitly states lion relocation was discussed since 1995 and names Kuno as an alternate site.
- Gives the rationale (low genetic diversity in Gir) for seeking a relocation site, directly tying Gir-to-Kuno proposal to conservation concerns.
Explicitly states that lion relocation has been discussed since 1995 and Kuno was identified as an alternate site because of low genetic diversity in Gir.
A student could use this rule — that relocation has been a conservation response for Gir lions — and check whether other sites (like Mudumalai) were ever proposed by searching records of relocation proposals or government notifications.
Notes Asiatic lion is endemic to Gir and is a focus of recovery programmes under Project Lion, implying formal planning exists for species translocation/management.
One could infer that project-level planning documents or meeting minutes might list candidate sites (so check Project Lion publications or government sources for Mudumalai mentions).
Lists Mudumalai Sanctuary (Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu) with large mammal species, establishing it as a significant southern protected area that, in principle, could be considered for large-carnivore translocations.
Combine this with a map and habitat/prey requirements for lions to assess whether Mudumalai is biogeographically plausible as a translocation site, then look for proposals or studies specific to Mudumalai.
States the natural habitat of the Indian (Asiatic) lion is Gir forest, underscoring that any translocation would be moving lions out of their endemic landscape — a notable conservation action likely to be documented.
Use this to justify searching authoritative records (wildlife ministry, Project Lion) for any non-Gir translocation proposals such as Mudumalai, since moving an endemic species is significant and usually recorded.
Explicitly states that lion relocation has been discussed since 1995 and that Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was identified as an alternate site due to low genetic diversity in Gir.
A student could infer that relocation proposals from Gir to other protected areas have been made and therefore check whether Sariska (another protected area) was ever proposed or considered.
Describes the Asiatic lion as endemic to the Gir landscape and the existence of a formal recovery programme and landscape-level conservation planning.
A student could reason that recovery programmes often consider translocation as a tool and therefore investigate whether Sariska was included in such plans.
Identifies Sariska National Park and Tiger Reserve (Alwar, Rajasthan) as an established protected area with large mammal fauna.
Knowing Sariska is a viable protected area, a student could combine this with the fact that relocation targets are protected areas to assess plausibility of a proposal involving Sariska.
States that the natural habitat of the Indian (Asiatic) lion is the Gir forest in Gujarat, establishing the source population for any proposed translocations.
A student could use this to confirm Gir as the origin for any relocation proposals and then look for proposals naming specific recipient parks like Sariska.
Notes that Asiatic lion is a species in danger, implying conservation interventions (including translocation) are conceivable.
A student could take this general conservation rationale as justification for why authorities might propose moving lions to other reserves such as Sariska, then seek specific proposals.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from Shankar IAS (Chapter 16: Project Lion) and a persistent Current Affairs theme (SC judgment 2013).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: 'Translocation & Reintroduction' as a conservation tool (e.g., Rhino Vision 2020, Tiger relocation).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize other major translocations: Rhinos (Pobitora to Manas), Tigers (to Sariska & Panna), Barasingha (Kanha to Satpura), and the recent Cheetah (Namibia to Kuno). Know the 'Endemic Threats': Genetic bottleneck (Lions in Gir), Habitat loss (Sangai in Loktak).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When a species is 'Endemic' to one site (like the Asiatic Lion), the immediate logical policy question is 'Where is the backup?' Always search for the 'Second Home' proposed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
Reference [1] records that relocation of Asiatic lions has been discussed since 1995 with Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary identified as an alternate site.
High-yield for questions on species recovery strategies: explains why translocation is considered (genetic vulnerability, single-site risk) and identifies the official alternate site (Kuno). Connects to policy/implementation aspects of wildlife conservation and legal frameworks. Useful for questions asking about relocation plans, site selection criteria, and case studies.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > 16.2 PROJECT LION > p. 231
References [1] and [4] indicate Gir is the natural habitat and concentrate of Asiatic lions; reference [10] notes Asiatic lion is a species targeted by national recovery projects.
Important for understanding species endemism and conservation priorities: shows why Gir is central to lion conservation and why relocation or ex-situ measures are considered. Links to topics on Wildlife Protection Act, species-specific recovery programmes, and habitat-centric conservation policy. Prepares aspirants for comparative questions on habitat-centric vs landscape-level conservation.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > 16.2 PROJECT LION > p. 231
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife > WILDLIFE > p. 43
- NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India > p. 30
References [5] and [8] list Corbett as a major national/tiger park, indicating its primary association with tiger conservation rather than lions.
Helps differentiate mandates and ecological suitability of protected areas — critical when evaluating feasibility of inter-regional translocations. Useful for map-based, institutional, and species-distribution questions; enables reasoning about why certain parks are or are not chosen for translocation based on existing species focus and ecosystem fit.
- NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > Project Tiger > p. 31
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > Popular National Parks of India > p. 43
Reference [1] names Kuno as the identified alternate site for lion relocation from Gir; reference [5] shows Kuno's use in species reintroductions.
High-yield for UPSC: shows practical conservation policy (translocation) and site-selection rationale; links to questions on in-situ conservation, protected area management, and inter-state wildlife initiatives. Useful for essays and polity/environment prelims/GS mains where examples of relocation projects are asked.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > 16.2 PROJECT LION > p. 231
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > Cheetah reintroduction plan > p. 242
Reference [1] cites low genetic diversity in Gir as the reason to consider translocation to reduce epidemic/vulnerability risk.
Important concept for environment questions: explains why creating a second population matters (disease resilience, genetic health). Connects to biodiversity, species recovery programmes, and population management topics; enables analytical answers on conservation strategies and risk mitigation.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > 16.2 PROJECT LION > p. 231
Reference [2] describes Project Lion and a landscape/species conservation approach for the Asiatic lion, contextualizing relocation within broader recovery planning.
High relevance for UPSC: understanding centre-led recovery programmes, legal protection (Schedule I), and landscape-based management helps answer policy, governance, and environment questions. Links to wildlife laws, protected areas, and conservation planning.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > a l..J -lj EN.VINO'NM > p. 232
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > 16.2 PROJECT LION > p. 231
Several references identify the Gir forest as the natural/primary habitat of the Indian (Asiatic) lion and list Gir National Park as protecting Asiatic lions.
High-yield: questions often ask about species endemism and their core habitats (e.g., 'which species is endemic to which park'). Mastering which flagship species are tied to which protected areas helps answer direct identification and justification questions. It connects to conservation policy (Project Lion) and habitat protection topics; practice by mapping species to parks and explaining conservation importance.
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife > WILDLIFE > p. 43
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Table 4.10 (Contd.) > p. 39
The 'Project Lion' document (2020) identified 6 new sites for relocation beyond just Kuno: Madhav NP (MP), Sitamata WLS (Rajasthan), Mukundra Hills (Rajasthan), Gandhi Sagar (MP), Kumbhalgarh (Rajasthan), and Jessore-Balaram (Gujarat).
Ecological Matching: Asiatic Lions inhabit dry, scrubby, deciduous forests (Savanna-like). Corbett (Terai/Foothills) is too wet/dense. Mudumalai (Western Ghats) is too tropical/hilly. Between Sariska and Kuno: Sariska is a famous Tiger reserve (high predator conflict risk). Kuno was the specific 'empty apartment' prepared for lions.
Polity & Federalism: The Lion case is a prime example of 'Bio-Federalism' conflict. Gujarat argued lions are 'state pride' (State List/Concurrent List dynamics), while the Centre/SC argued for 'National Interest' (Article 48A/51A(g)) to prevent extinction.