Gir National Park

Gir National Park is located in the south west of the Saurashtra peninsula and was established on 18th September, 1965, as a Forest Reserve, primarily to conserve the Asiatic lion. The 116 square-mile Gir sanctuary was created to protect the last wild population of Lions, around 300 in number. It is now the only home in the world of the beleaguered Asiatic Lion. The rugged terrain and the steep rocky hillsides are covered in mixed deciduous forests of Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees, interespersed with large patches of grasslands.

In 1955, Indian government placed a total ban on killing of Lions and in 1965, the Gujarat government declared Gir forest as a sanctuary and in 1975; part of the sanctuary was declared as a National Park. As this protection program became successful, an incredible increase in the Lion population was reported, from 177 in 1974 to around 300 in 1995.

Numerous cattle herders called Maldharis, reside within the sanctuary with an estimated 20,000 head of livestock. The park also has places of worship and exquisite 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. The Kamleshwar Lake has some Marsh Crocodile. The exotic varieties of birds in the park include: the Paradise Flycatcher, Crested Serpent Eagle, Bush Quail, Bonelli's Eagle, Black Headed Cuckoo, Shrike Woodpecker and Painted Sandgrouse. Gir also has nearly 210 leopards and numerous cheetal (spotted deer), jungle cat, hyena, sambhar, nilgai (blue bull), chousingha (four-horned antelope) and wild boar. Marsh crocodiles are often seen along its rivers.

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.

How to Reach
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.

Location: 64 km from Junagadh and 32 km from Verawal

Total Coverage Area: 1,412.14 sq. km./ Lion sanctuary 141,213 hectares (of which national park 35,948 hectares).