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increased from 674 to 891.  This   to bring about a change.
        number of lions that emerged          Along   with  the   latest
        after the lion census is very     technology, global best practices
        encouraging.  Friends,  many of   were also adopted there. During
        you must be wondering how this    this time, Gujarat became the
        animal census is conducted!       first  state  where  women  were
        This exercise is very challenging.   appointed  as  Forest  Officers
        You will be surprised to know     on a large scale. All these have
        that  the Lion  Census  was       contributed to the results we are
        conducted in 11 districts, in an   seeing today. We will have to

        area  of   35  thousand  square   remain vigilant and alert like this
        kilometres.  For  the  census,  the   for wildlife protection.
        teams monitored these areas
        round the clock… twenty four          My dear countrymen, just a
        hours.  Both  verification  and   couple of days ago, I went to the
        cross  verification  were  done   first  Rising  North  East  Summit.
        in this entire campaign. This     Before that, we also celebrated
        enabled the counting of lions     the 'Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav'
        to be completed with utmost       dedicated to the strength of
        precision.                        the North East. The North East
            Friends,  the rise in the     is  something   extraordinary;
        population of the Asiatic Lion    its  strength,  its  talent,  is
        shows that when the sense of      really amazing.  I have come
        ownership strengthens in the      to  know  an interesting  story
        society, amazing results happen.   about  crafted  fibres.  Crafted
        A few decades ago, the situation   fibres is not just a brand; it is a
        in Gir was very challenging. But   beautiful  confluence  of  Sikkim's
        the people there came together    tradition, the art of weaving,


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