Gandhinagar, March 3 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off his Monday morning with an exhilarating lion safari at the Gir wildlife sanctuary located in Gujarat’s Junagarh district.

This visit coincided with World Wildlife Day and marked the final day of his three-day trip to his home state. During this jungle expedition, PM Modi was joined by senior ministers and officials from the forest department.

He took to X early on Monday morning to express his views regarding World Wildlife Day, advocating for the preservation of Earth’s biodiversity.

“On this World Wildlife Day, let’s reaffirm our dedication to protecting and preserving the remarkable biodiversity of our planet. Each species plays an essential role—let's ensure their future for the coming generations! We also take pride in India’s efforts toward wildlife conservation,” he posted on X.

“This morning, on #WorldWildlifeDay, I embarked on a safari in Gir, renowned as the habitat of the magnificent Asiatic Lion. Visiting Gir brings back many memories of our collective efforts during my time as Gujarat Chief Minister. In recent years, concerted efforts have led to a steady increase in the population of Asiatic Lions. Equally remarkable is the contribution of local tribal communities and women in conserving the Asiatic Lion's habitat,” he further detailed in another X post.

The stunning images and videos from PM Modi’s lion safari at the Gir sanctuary have captivated audiences online. In the visuals, the Prime Minister is seen capturing photographs of lions in the wild.

Notably, Gir is the only region outside Africa where lions can be witnessed in their natural setting. It is also recognized as the last remaining sanctuary for Asiatic lions. The lions in Gir are majestic creatures, averaging approximately 2.75 meters in length.

At Sasan Gir, the headquarters of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, PM Modi is scheduled to preside over the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). Following the meeting, he is expected to engage with women forest staffers at Sasan.

Significantly, his administration's efforts in rejuvenating the tiger population in Gir have garnered global recognition. Since his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, he has been actively involved in Asiatic lion conservation.

In 2007, post a poaching incident, the government set up the Greater Gir Wildlife Protection Task Force to oversee wildlife crimes and enhance conservation strategies.

The Greater Gir Conservation Model was initiated, extending lion protection beyond Gir National Park to cover 30,000 sq. km, ensuring a safer environment. His tenure also witnessed the groundbreaking hiring of women beat guards, with 111 women currently employed in the Gir territory.