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Gir National Park
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Situated about 65km SE of
Junagarh district in the state of Gujarat in South West
India, the National Park was established on 18th
September, 1965, as a Forest Reserve, primarily to
conserve the Asiatic lion-classified as one of the World's
most threatened species. Now Gir National Park is the only
remaining place in the world, where one is likely to see
the Asiatic Lion. The sanctuary covers a total area of
1,412 sq. km of which 258 sq.km at the core forms the
National park.
The land is rugged with deep ravines, steep rocky hills
and plenty of rivers. The Asiatic lion once had a wide
range in natural territory running from NW India through
Persia to Arabia. But unfortunately, hunted as a coveted
trophy item during the British Raj era, it is now only
found in Gir. The famine of 1899 so decimated the Asiatic
lion population that Lord Curzon cancelled his shoot at
Gir, where he was staying as the guest of Nawab Junagadh.
Curzon persuaded the Nawab to protect the remaining lions.
In 1965, the India Government declared this place as a
National park. The lion population which had sunk to an
alarming two dozen in the early 20th century has slowly
climbed over the years since, and now numbers about 300.
Within the sanctuary, there are numerous human settlements
of cattle herders called Maldharis. There are also places
of Hindu worship and pilgrimage and sulphur springs at
Tulsi Shyam and Kankai Mata. At the edge of the park there
are good populations of Indian Gazelle, protected by the
religious sentiment of the local people.
There are 6 routes in the park - the longest is 31km. Some
of the most popular routes for a drive are the
Sasan-Kamaleshwar Dam, the Sasan-Kankai, the
Sasan-Chodavdi and the Sasan-Tulsishyam routes. You may
occasionally be able to see lions with the help of tracker
and guide. The Gir forestry department provides jeeps and
guides on a daily basis.
A couple of tribes still reside inside the park
co-existing with the wild animals. A visit to these tribal
villages is an interesting experiences that introduces the
visitors to the unique lifestyle and ways of living of the
tribal people.
The nearby historic town of Junagadh has a number of
attractions that include forts, palaces and gardens.
Shopping options in the town abound with ethnic Rajasthani
goods being the favourite.
Fauna:
Apart from the Asiatic lion, Gir is home to 36 species of
mammals and 33 species of reptiles. Other wild attractions
in the sanctuary are Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambhar, Black
Bucks, the four horned Antelope, Wild Boar, crocodile,
Indian Flying Foe, Grey Musk Shrew, Indian Hare, Pale
Hedgehog, Small Indian Mangoose, Small Indian Civet,
Indian Pangolin, Indian Porcupine, Ratel, Indian Fox and
Jackal. The three smaller wildcats - the Jungle Cat,
Desert Cat and the Rusty Spotted Cat, also inhabit Gir
forest.
Gir has the largest population of marsh crocodiles in any
protected area. Other reptiles found here include python,
monitor lizard and the star tortoise.
The forest is also rich in bird life, and an estimated of
300 species are found inhabiting Gir National Park over
the years, the most common is the peafowl. Other birds are
crested serpent eagle, Bonnali’s eagle, crested hawk
eagle, brown fish owl, great horned owl, pygmy woodpecker
and black-headed oriole.
Flora:
The vegetation, mainly along the main rivers and streams
is mixed deciduous, with Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and
Dhak trees, interspersed with large patches of grasslands
and offers the visitor long pleasant drives, through the
thick forest cover. These trees are mostly broad leaved
and evergreen, giving the area a cool shade and moisture
content. The Gir forest is dry for most of the year with
scrub trees, like babul and few flowering trees. Prosopis
and Casuarina have been planted in the coastal border as
part of the aforestation plan.
Best time to visit:
October 16 - June 15. November and February is the best
time for sighting the lions.
Safari timings:
0800 to 1100 hrs and then 1500 to 1700 hrs.
Go there for:
Famed as the only abode of Asiatic lion .
How to reach there:
by road:
Distance of 415 kms from Ahmedabad (good road except last
10 km). The road passes via Rajkot, Junagadh, Mendarda (65
km) and Veraval (42 km).
by rail:
The nearest railheads are Sasan Gir and Veraval, while the
most convenient railway station is Rajkot.
Delhi is connected to Rajkot through the Sarvodaya Exp.
(Dep. 21:55, Monday), Jat Jamnagar Exp. (21:55, Sun), Dee
Porbandar Exp. (8:25, Mon, Thu) and Uttaranchal Exp.
(13:40, Sun).
Daily trains plying between Mumbai and Rajkot include the
Saurashtra Mail (20:25), Sau Janata Exp. (8:00) and
Saurashtra Exp. (7:55). Another railhead is Junagadh,
connected to Ahmedabad through the Jabalpur Exp. and
Somnath Exp.
by air:
Nearest airport is Keshod 90-km via Veraval. From Mumbai,
daily flights to Keshod. Drive to Gir from Keshod or
Rajkot (166-kms) airports.
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© 2008, Banjara Camps & Retreats Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. All rights reserved.
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