|
Gir
Forest, Gujrat
| Location |
-Gujrat |
| Speciality |
-Lion |
| Accomodation |
-Forest
Lodge |
| Best
Time To Visit |
-December
to April |
Gir
National Park allowes the visitors to glimpse wildlife in its natural
surroundings. The last refuge of the Asiatic lion on Earth, the
Gir National Park is located in the Junagadh district in Gujarat.
Spread over 2450 hectares, this beautiful sanctuary offers visitors
the best in flora and fauna. As visitors pass through this park,
they can view rivers making their way through the lush green thick
forests.
The
park was set up on 18th September, 1965, and successfully
protected the lion and its habitat. From less than 200 in 1980,
the lion population in Gir has since grown to an estimated 286 in
1997. The Gir National Park is located about 59 km from Junagadh
via Visavadar.
Visitors
to the park get a chance to see the Asiatic lion – an incredible
and awe-inspiring animal. The animal makes the park worth the effort.
The visitors also get a chance see these magnificent animals every
Sunday at the shows organised by the Forest Department.
Other
than the lions visitors also get to see animals like the chinkara,
wild boar, striped hyena, jackal, common langur, porcupine, hare
and the black buck. The sanctuary is also home to over 200 species
of birds including the peafowl, grey partridge, Boneli’s eagle,
crested serpent eagle, jungle bush quail, painted sandgrouse, common
green pigeon and several species of doves. One can also easily spot
the marsh crocodile in the rivers at Gir, particularly in the lake
of the Kamaleshwar dam. There is also a crocodile breeding farm
at Sasan.
The
best way to enjoy the wildlife is by driving around the forest.
Some of the best drives from Sasan are to Baval Chowk and Kankai,
to Chodavdi and Tulsishyam and to Kamaleshwar dam.
Places
of interest :
Located
in the park, two pilgrim centres, Kankai Mata and Tulsishyam temples
are which are worth a look. The highlight of these temples are the
‘hot springs’.
Gir
Interpretation Zone – 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 didn’t see a lion in the park you will be sure to see
one here.
The
ideal time to visit the site is from December to April. The park
remains closed from June to October, and sometimes even later if
there has been a heavy rainfall.
Though
the lions are exlusive, you can be quite sure to see at least one
on a safari. It is better to go on a morning trip than an afternoon
one.
Tips:
Though a sturdy car would do, a jeep is definitely more appropriate,
as they can take the small trails where you’re much more likely
to come across lions. Private vehicles cannot be used to tour the
park.
You
must get a permit before you embark on a safari. Permits can be
obtained from the Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge office at a cost of Rs
15 for the first day, with every additional day costing you Rs 7.50ps.
You have to pay Rs 35 for a camera and Rs 75 for a video. Jeep tours
taking upto six people cost you up to Rs 150.
How
to get there:
State transport
and express buses travel between Junagadh and Veraval via Sasan
Gur, four times a day. Train run too, to Veraval twice a day and
to Delwada and Junagadh once a day.
Where
to stay:
Accomodation
is very limited here and it is advisable to book in advance.
- Sinh
Sadan Forest Lodge (Ph: 02877-85540)
- Gir
Lodge (Ph: 02877-85521)
Contact:
The Sanctuary
Superintendent, Sasan Gir, Junagadh, Gujarat OR The Conservator
of Forests, Sardar Baug, Junagadh, Gujarat - 362001.
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