The endangered Asiatic Lion, which once thrived in southwest Asia before being forced to congregate in a small forest in western India, is starting to make a comeback thanks to the efforts of local conservationists.

Fifty-four women have been appointed and trained as part of a state forest department drive that has recruited 300 new forest guards and 180 foresters for protection of forest areas. Besides, about 300 people have volunteered their services as friends of forests.

By Himanshu Kaushik AHMEDABAD: In a desperate move, Madhya Pradesh government has written to all the zoos in the country to spare Asiatic lions for Kuno-Palpur National Park, where lions from Gir were to be shifted.

By Himanshu Kaushik GANDHINAGAR: In a bid to strengthen its case of not shifting Gir's Asiatic lions to Madhya Pradesh, the state government has initiated a move to create three gene pools to conserve the genetic diversity of this endangered wild cat.

In a bid to strengthen its case of not shifting Gir's Asiatic lions to Madhya Pradesh, the state government has initiated a move to create three gene pools to conserve the genetic diversity of this endangered wild cat.