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Published: April 16th 2009
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The one and only and the last destination in the World to see the majestic Asiatic Lions...
Shortforms used in here & the album:
GIZ : Gir Interpretation zone (its basically an Animal Hospital/ care centre)
GBL : Gir Birding Lodge (our regular place of stay)
reaching Gir is simple , Mumbai - Rajkot - Gir.
Situated about 65km SE of Junagarh district in the state of Gujarat in South West India, the National Park was established 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. Permits are required to enter this part of the sanctuary. The park has an undulating landscape and is drained by seven rivers - Hiran, Saraswati, Datardi, Shingoda, Macchundri, Ghodvadi and Raval.
The land is rugged with deep ravines, steep rocky hills and plenty of rivers. 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
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 the Gir forest of Gujarat. 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.
Though the Asiatic lion is an elusive creature, a morning safari awards a good chance of seeing it, in contrast
to a hot afternoon safari. One of the best routes to take for a safari is Sasan-Khokra-Sisvan-Devadungar-Gambliamba-Kamleshwar Dam-Mindholiwada-Sasan.
We as bird lovers weren’t disappointed at all (as the forest boasts of 200 species of birds )Our main sightings included the crested serpent eagles, white-eyed buzzard, hawk eagles, jungle bush quail and sparrow hawk and the very rare and protected 'Great Indian Bustard' (GIB). It is therefore a bird watchers delight. The Gir is also home to the marsh crocodile, which can be sighted easily in its rivers, particularly in the lake of the Kamaleshwar dam. There is also a crocodile breeding farm at Sasan.
MALDHARI TRIBE
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.
These Maldharis are nomadic herdsmen who live in and around the park. The literal meaning of Maldhari is "owner of animal stock". In different regions, they belong to different castes. Maldharis living in Gir Forest National Park are
mainly Charan and their villages are known as “ness”. Gir is also home to a Negroid community known as Siddis, who are African in origin but speak Gujarati.
KAMLESHWAR DAM
Just 10 km away from the breeding farm on the Hiran River is Kamleshwar Dam, which a good place to spot crocodiles.
GIZ
The Gir Interpretation Zone is about Twelve kilometers from Sasan village at Devalia is this zone, within the precincts of the sanctuary. Spread over 4.12 sq km, the zone has a cross section of the wildlife in Gir, and if u didnt see a lion in the park you will be sure to see one here. This fenced area is more of a care-centre for injured lions, animals kept under observation, pregnant females, abandoned cubs, deer etc…..The park vehicle takes you across for a ride.
Our sightings in the national park were great this season. And we also saw two females trying to break the fence of GIZ and join the deer inside…(See pics)
STAY
If you want to visit Gir, the only place I would recommend is the Gir Birding Lodge (GBL). It’s a small farm house just next to the forest Gate
II. One cant get any closer to nature. We actually heard a leopard kill a spotted deer at the GBL gate on our 1st night there…
Want to book ?? check out www.foliageoutdoors.com
Other stuff…
Entry Requirements
All visitors to Gir are required to obtain entry permits from the Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge Office. The permits cost Rs 15 for the first day, and Rs 7.50 for every subsequent day. Extra charges are levied for cameras and for hiring vehicles: a jeep ride will cost about Rs 100 per person, and still camera fees range from Rs 50 (for Indians) to $5 (for foreigners). Guide charges are, respectively, Rs 50 or $10.
Access
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. 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.
In addition, fairly good roads link the park
to the rest of the country. Junagadh itself is only about 60 km from Gir, and there are frequent buses connecting the town to the park.
Vehicles are available for hire at Gir, and are easily the best way to see wildlife in the park. 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. Time your jaunt through the park for dawn, when there are more chances of seeing lions and other wildlife.
Best time to visit
Gir is open to visitors throughout the year except during the monsoon (between June and October). By far the best time to visit the park is in the winter, from December to March. For Animal sightings peak Summer (May-June) are the best, but it gets terribly hot and unbearable….we did it for the pictures…!
Some of my pictures are from the costal village of DIU….visited the beach front amazingly carved Somnath Temple. The route was Sasangir - Veraval - Somnath - Diu. (Its very very strict at Somnath and they don’t allow any photography )
Njoy the pics and visit Gir !!
Bye
Anu
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