About Barda Wildlife Sanctuary (BWLS):
- Location:
- It is located in the state of Gujarat.
- It lies roughly 15 kilometres from Porbandar and 100 kilometres west of Gir Forest National Park.
- It has a hilly landscape, and the sanctuary sprawls over an area of 192.31 square kilometres.
- It lies at an altitude that ranges from 79.2 metres to 617.8 metres above sea level.
- There are two waterways, the Bileshvary River and the Joghri River, and two dams, Khambala and Fodara.
- Ethnic races such as Maldharis, Bharvads, Rabaris, and Gadhvis live in this region.
- To develop Barda as the second home for the Asiatic lion, the state government implemented the 'Gir-Barda Project' in 1979.
- Flora:
- It is characteristically abundant in floral diversity, which consists of a good number of medicinal plants.
- The sanctuary boasts about 650 plant species, which comprise Rayan, Babul, Ber, Jamun, Amli, Gorad, Bamboo, Dhav, Dhudhlo, etc
- Fauna: Leopard, Hyena, Wild boar, wolf, Jackal, blue bull, rare and endangered spotted eagle, crested hawk eagle, etc.
What is Project Lion?
- It envisages landscape ecology-based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating conservation and eco-development.
- The project is being implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat, which is the last home of the Asiatic lion.
- Conservation status of Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo):
- IUCN: Endangered
- Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I
- CITES: Appendix I
