Gir National Park
How does it sound to hang around with the lion king? Well you can’t literally hang around them, but the Gir National Park is the only site in India to see the magnificent Asiatic lion. It is one of the oldest sanctuaries in India, and takes the justifiable delight in saving an endangered species. Gujarat Rajwara is the last remaining abode of the Asiatic Lion. The largest squashed zone of dry deciduous forest in the country, protected as Gir National Park and Sanctuary, covers an area of 1412 sq km in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Gir has also developed to host a very stable ecosystem for a variety of Flora and Fauna.
For over 150 years, Asiatic lions have remained curbed only to Gir after the Nawab of Junagadh took strong conservation measures to protect them, leading to a growth in the lion population. Even today, Gir is one of the best conservation stories in the world. The number of Asiatic lion has increased to 411 in the area, making it easier to spot the lions.
FLORA AND FAUNA
With 606 different plant species, 39 species of mammals, 37 species of reptiles and over 300 species of birds and more than 2,000 species of insects, this park boast of its natural richness. A breeding ground for migratory birds, the avifauna of Gir includes a variety of raptors and many other significant species, including Lesser Florican, Osprey, Indian Pitta, Red-headed Vulture, etc. It also supports a variety of reptiles, including the Indian python and the Indian star tortoise, and possibly one of the highest populations of Marsh crocodile in the country.
Also, you will come across a discrete belt of vegetation along the main rivers and streams. The trees you can see in the deciduous forest are Teak, flame of the forest, Acacia, Banyan, Zizyphas, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak. The plants in Gir comprises of various genus like the Jambu, Karanj, Umro, Vad, Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli. These broad-leaved trees provide a fresh shadow and dampness content to the region. As part of the afforestation plan, Prosopis and Casuarina have been planted in the coastal borders of Gir.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The National Park is open throughout the year and you can visit it as per your comfort of rains or summers or winters.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR: The nearest airport is Keshod, at a distance of 90 km from Sasan Gir; the other airport is Rajkot at a distance of 140 kms.
BY RAIL: Sasan Gir has a railway station of its own, with train connections to a number of other cities and towns in Gujarat and its neighbouring states. The towns of Junagadh, Veraval and Delwada have daily trains to Sasan Gir, from where the park is only about a km away.
BY BUS: Easy buses are available from Junagadh, 60km from the park.
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