Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Sasan Gir, is a forest and wildlife sanctuary near Talala Gir in Gujarat, India. It is located 43 km north-east of Somnath, 65 km south-east of Junagadh and 60 km south-west of Amreli. It was established in 1965, with a total area of 1,412 km2 (545 sq mi), of which 258 km2 (100 sq mi) is fully protected as national park and 1,153 km2 (445 sq mi) as wildlife sanctuary. The Gir forest area and the Asiatic lions were first “protected” in 1899 by the Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh, which saved the lion population from fully disappearing as a result of trophy hunting.
This Park has been the only habitat naturally for the Asiatic lions. It was established as the last abode ibn the wild to protect Asiatic lions, who frequent the fenced-off Devalia Safari Park. Land is rugged with the deepest ravines, rocky hills that are steep, rivers aplenty and those are interspersed with big grassland patches. Entry fee is 800-1000 rupees for Indians and 5600-7000 rupees for foreigners. As such today, it is the only area in Asia where Asiatic lions are found in the wild. Though now Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh has also been declared a home for the lions. Currently there are over 650 lions including adults, sub adults and cubs. The Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary are one of the most significant national parks in India that provides shelter to the Asiatic Lions.
Apart from the lions, it also possesses innumerable species of various plants and animals including leopards and antelopes. The Gir ecosystem with its diverse flora and fauna is protected as a result of the efforts of the government forest department, wildlife activists and NGOs. A must visit for everyone who loves nature in wild. The protected area remains closed from June 16 to October 15, due to the summer monsoon. As such the best time to visit Gir is in winter from November to March. The summer months of April and May are very hot but ideal for wildlife photography and wildlife viewing. About 1000 people mostly from Maldhari tribe, still live in the park, and their livestock accounts for about a quarter of the lions’ diet.
If tourist want to see lions then Devaliya safari is enough but if they want to enjoy lion as well as glorious ecosystem of Sasan Gir forest then jeep safari is ideal. There are 30 entry permits for each vehicle and altogether there are 90 trips that are taken per day and they start at 6.30 a.m., 9.00 a.m., and 3 p.m. Tourist can even travel in their private vehicles but it should be a Euro 3 amenable petrol vehicle. Gir National Park is the go to for any wildlife lovers, wildlife photographers, professionals, naturalists and normal explorers. Gir is home to numerous fauna and flora including some 300 species of birds and 37 different species of reptiles. Among wildlife animals and birds like dainty chital (spotted deer), sambar (large deer), nilgais (blue bull / large antelopes), chousinghas (four-horned antelopes), chinkaras (gazelles), Foxes, Asiatic Wild Ass, Brown Fish Own, Hyenas, Black Buck and Pygmy Woodpecker. Other animals found in Gir include Indian Leopards, jungle cats, striped hyenas, sloth bears and Indian cobras. There are golden jackals, Indian mongoose, Ratels and Indian Palm Civets as well as chital deer, nilgai, four-horned Antelopes, wild boars and many other animals. Gir is also home to over 600 plant species.
Tourist first need to book entry tickets to visit the Gir forest online. There are several tour companies that organize trips to Gir forest. The best way to reach Gir forest is by bus or taxi. Tourist who intend to visit Gir can spend the night at a hotel in Junagadh and then take a bus or taxi to Gir early next morning. There are a few lodges in and near the park. Well connected by road, rail and air through Rajkot there are numerous places worth visiting in and around the Gir Park.
These include Kamleshwar Dam dubbed ‘the lifeline of Gir’, Tulsi Shyam Temple, Devalia Safari Park, Crocodile Breeding farm, Kankai Mata Temple, and Jamjir Waterfall. There are seven major rivers in Gir region namely Hiran, Shetrunji, Datardi, Shingoda, Machhundri, Godavari and Raval. The four reservoirs of the area are at four dams, one each on Hiran, Machhundri, Raval and Shingoda river. The Kamleshwar Dam has marsh crocodiles and birds, such as Indian skimmers and pelicans. Gir Jungle Trail, outside the fenced area, traverses deciduous forest and is home to wildlife including vultures and pythons. Whilew on a safari inside park it is best to carry water and snacks. Overall a visit to Gir to see Asiatic Lions in their natural habitat is a mesmerizing for anyone, making it a must visit.
