GIR NATIONAL PARK

Gir National Park The last home of the Asiatic Loin; a terrain composed of steep rocky hills, deep ravines and occasional stretches of grassland irrigated by many rivers. The park supports a mixed semi-arid deciduous forest.

The Gir National Park is located among the low, undulating and excellently irrigated hills in the Junagadh district of Gujarat. It is famous for being the last existing natural home of the Asiatic lion, although it has a healthy population of other animal species too. The Gir forest covers an area of 1150 square kilometers with 300 square kilometers forming the core area of the national park.

With the presence of the Asiatic Lion within it's forests, the park was bound to have it's own important place in the area's history. Earlier the royal hunting grounds of the Nawab of Junagadh, it was later earmarked as a protected forest by the concerned Government bodies. It is said that Lord Curzon, who was invited to a lion hunt by the Nawab, initiated the latter's mind towards preserving the lion species. In 1900, the lion was declared a protected animal but it was only in the year 1952 that it found its place among the 13 rare animals to be officially protected. In 1966, 600 square kilometers were initially demarcated as the Gir forest area, which was later increased to 1150 square kilometers. The park with its core area of approximately 300 square kilometers was officially declared a national park in 1975.

Over the years the lions have got pretty used to people and sightings are plentiful. As a matter of fact the lion population at Gir has been growing steadily and efforts are on to relocate some of the animals to ease the pressure on Gir. An alternate home may be found for some in Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh.

Driving around the entire park are extremely scenic and refreshing the mind and eyes, some of the better known routes are the jungle tracks to Deva Danga, Riley's, Bawal Chowk, Kankai, Chodardi, Tulsishyam and Kamleshwar dam/lake. The Kamleshwar reservoir offers excellent marsh croc viewing possibilities. Tulsishyam is also a place of pilgrimage and is also known for it's hot water springs. The Park has so many trails; some are very short (25kms). Go for the long trips, which cover more then 40kms.

Birds in the park include the Paradise Flycatcher, Bonelli's Eagle and Painted Sandgrouse. Three unusual reserves, the Nalsarover Lake and Sanctuary, where large numbers of water-birds can be seen; the bare saline flats of the Rann of Kutch, incredibly the home of the Indian wild ass and the spectacular Flamingo island where nesting colonies of flamingoes are to be seen, make Gujarat an exciting place for wildlife enthusiasts.

Helping Facts

By Air : Nearest airport is Keshod 90-km via Veraval. One can catch daily flight from Mumbai to Keshod. Drive to Gir from Keshod or Rajkot (166-kms) airports.

By Rail : Meter gauge rail line of 395-kms from Ahemdabad. There is also a railway station at Sasan Gir (1km).

By Road : Distance of 400-kms from Ahmedabad via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda. State Transport buses are also available from Junagadh and Veraval between November and June.

Climate : From the three common seasons of summer, winter and monsoon, summer takes the longest stretch, in which the average minimum and maximum temperature ranges between 10ºC to nearly 45ºC. The hottest months recorded in Gir are April and May. Gir is extremely dusty in summer (March to May). The rains bring some relief from the heat during the monsoons period of, starting from middle of June and September. Winters are very pleasant and best time to visit the park.

Best Time to Visit : Even if Gir National Park is one of the hottest and most visited wildlife reserves within India still the period one should visit this park is during the months of Mid October-Mid June, and the best recommended time is December-April.

Further Connections : Mumbai and Ahamedabad.

Note : Bring binoculars, remain quiet, and don't wear bright colors or strong perfumes.

tour to Gir National Park

» Wild India
Duration : 14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations : Ranthambhore - Kanha - Gir - Corbett