Asiatic Lions to get postage stamp as Gir lion sanctuary celebrates 50-years

Gir Asiatic lion sanctuary in the Gir forest of Gujarat was set up on 18 September 1965 and it now celebrates its half century. On this occasion, a special postal stamp would be released and a year-long festivities will be launched to celebrate the famous man-lion relationship in Saurashtra which is the only abode of the Asiatic lion in the world.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 17 September 2015.

Once upon a time, the lion kingdom used to cover almost whole of East Asia and credit goes to the people of peninsular Saurashtra who saved the beast from complete annihilation. When setup in 1965, the total population was 174 lions and it now boasts of 523.
Gir is one of best-managed sanctuaries in the country and the protected area, which was 1265 sq. km. in 1965, has now expanded to 22,000 sq. km. as the lion kept regaining lost territory. These beasts have to overcome new challenges that are posed by new industries in the coastal areas, along with construction of roads and railways to improve communication.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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