News update: Gir National Park is the royal kingdom of the Asiatic lions and an ideal habitat for most of the wildlife species found in India. With the presence of an increasingly beautiful climate and topography of the region, the area has really got its true importance. Gir National Park, also known as Sasan-Gir or Gir Forest, is a forest and wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, established in the year of 1965. Covering a total area of 1412 square kilometers (approximately 258 km for a fully protected area (national park) and 1153 km² for the sanctuary), the park is located at a distance of 65 km south-east of Junagadh and 60 km south-west of Amreli.

 

Brief History of Gir National Park 

The area of the Gir National Park was once a hunting ground for the British rulers during their reign in India and it was considered a matter of great pride when many kings and maharajas of the region hunted these large numbers of tigers and lions. It was in the year 1899, that the dominant lion population declined sharply in the Gir due to the effects of the famine, and as a result British officer Lord Curzon officer who had come to hunt on invitation by the Nawabs of the region canceled his visit to Gir. The effect of the famine was so great that Lord Curzon advised the residents of the area to save the remaining lions. In order to protect the more vulnerable acts such as hunting and hunting, the Indian government banned the hunting process in the area in the year 1960 and today the area is only available for photo safaris, with increased access to lions. Today the park is considered one of the most important protected areas in Asia because of its supported species. Gir is accustomed to unique ecosystems with diverse flora and fauna and is now considered one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its unsupported species. Various initiatives and efforts by the Indian government and NGOs brought about many changes in the population of Asiatic lions over the year. In the year 2005, the number of lions was 359, in April 2010, the number of lions was again counted, this count increased by about 52 lions compared to the proportion of 2005. Since the establishment of the Gir National Park in the park and its surrounding area, the lion breeding program has led to the birth of about 180 lions under its protection. 

 

Important Species Living in Gir National Park 

The Asiatic Lion Land is an ideal reserve for a tremendous variety of wild creatures to roam freely and safely. Traveling to the gorgeous rugged hills of Sasan Gir, wildlife lovers can get a great opportunity to spot around 2,375 species of mammals, including about 38 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles and over 2,000 species of insects species included. The group of carnivores in Gir National Park actually includes the presence of Asiatic lions, Indian leopards, Indian cobras, sloth bears, jungle cats, golden jackals, Indian palm civets, striped hyenas, Indian mongooses and rattles. Desert cats and wild-spotted cats do exist but are rarely seen. 

Apart from this, there are Chittal, Nilgai (or Blue Bull), Antelope, Sambar, Four-horned Chinkara and Wild Boar in Gir National Park. Blackbucks can sometimes be seen in the sanctuary from the surrounding area.

 

The group of small mammals would also include the green porcupine where the pangolin is rare in the Gir sanctuary. The reptiles are represented by marsh crocodile deer tortoise and monitor lizard in the water areas of the sanctuary. Snakes and pythons can also be found along lush bushes and streams. Adopted under the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in 1977, the Gujarat State Forest Department utilizes the reserve where the region has grown with over 300 species of birds. There are 6 recorded species of vultures in the wizarding group of birds. Some of the distinctive species of Gir include Crested Serpent Eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Crested Hawk-Eagle, Endangered Bonelli Eagle, Rock Bush-Quil, Indian Eagle-Owl, Black-headed Oriole, Pygmy Woodpecker, Crested Treeswift and Indian Pitta. 

 

Jeep Safari in Gir National Park 

There is a good arrangement of Jeep Safaris in Gir National Park. You can watch lions up close with an experienced guide. From time to time the park administration also organizes lion shows.  How did you like our article based on Gir National Park or Gir National Park, do tell us by commenting. You can also share this information with your friends on social media.