Class 12 NEET Biology Biodiversity and Conservation

(b) Gir forest is important for protecting lion. The ecosystem of Gir, with its diverse flora and fauna, is a result of the efforts of the Government, forest department, wildlife activists and NGOs. The forest area of Gir and its lions were declared as “protected” in the early 1900’s by the then Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh. This initiative assisted in the conservation of the lions whose population had plummeted to only 15 through slaughter for trophy hunting.