Synopsis on Gir National Park Lions
Sasan Gir Sanctuary protected area is the single largest chunks of forests in Suarashtra region of Gujarat state in India which is sprawl over total area of 1450 square kilometres. History of lion conservation in the last three decades since the inception of Gir Sanctuary is one of the most successful conservation stories in the world which must be read and noted. It is only because Gir is the last home of Asiatic Lion, Panthera Leo Persica, for over hundred years.
It is important to note that Gir forest has shrunk almost half of the area from its 3070 square kilometre in the year 1880s. In the early part of this sanctuary, Girnar, Mitiyala, Barda, Alech hills, Dhank and Chorwar were connected with Gir via different corridors.
Evolving History of Asiatic Lions
Actually lions evolved in Europe and migrated down to Asia Minor due to climatic changes. Both African and Asiatic Lion were separated about 55,000 years ago and then they rise in to two different sub-species. Later back in thousands years ago, Asiatic lions were found in North Africa along Mediterranean. Up to 19th century, it survived in a part of Asia Minor Iran-Iraq and India but late on it become extinct from its every distribution range in the starting of 20th century, excluding the Gir forest.
| Here is the Lion Population Census Estimates before the Gir was declared as Gir Lion Sanctuary in the year 1965. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Estimating Year | Lions Population | Description f or Census |
| 1884 | Very Few | Perhaps few dozen |
| 1905 | 60-70 | Increased |
| 1920 | 50-100 | (Sir P. R. Gadell & J. M. Ratnagar) |
| 1936 | 287 | (First lion census - Nawab of Junagadh) |
| 1950 | 219-227 | Second Lion Census |
| 1955 | 290 | Third Lion Census |
Five Protected area inhabited by Gir Lion
- Gir National Park
- Gir Sanctuary
- Paniya Sanctuary
- Mitiyala Sanctuary
- Girnar Sanctuary
Expanding distribution range of the Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica)
Lion Conservation Area-
- Area of five protected area: 1649 sq. km.
- Conservation Reserve (proposed): 109 sq. km.
- Total: 1,758 sq. km.
- Ecological sensitive zone (proposed): 3,467 sq. km.
- Total: 5,225 sq. K
| Lion Population Growth Table | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Population | Year | Population |
| 1968 | 177 | 1995 | 304 |
| 1974 | 180 | 2000 | 327 |
| 1979 | 205 | 2005 | 359 |
| 1984 | 239 | 2010 | 411 |
| 1990 | 284 | NA | NA |
Travel MonthMorning TimingsEvening TimingsEvening Timings16th October To 28th/29th February6.45 AM to 9.45 AM | 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM3.00 PM to 6.00 PM3.00 PM to 6.00 PM1st March To 15th June6.00 AM to 9.00 AM | 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM4 .00 PM to 7 .00 PM4 .00 PM to 7 .00 PM
Expanding kingdom of Gir Sanctuary
Year 1974: 180 lions
Entire population was restricted in the Gir forest and about a half dozen lions frequented from Gir to Girnar and Mitiyala forest.
Year 1995: 304 lions
- Core population in Gir forest & Mitiyala: 265 lions
- Satellite I-Girnar: 13 lions
- Satellite II-Coastal-Junagadh
- Satellite III-Coastal- Amreli : 26 lions
Year 2010: 411 lions
- Core population - Gir forest: 306 lions
- Satellite I-Girnar: 23 lions
- Satellite II-Coastal-Junagadh: 9 lions
- Satellite III-Coastal –Amreli: 12 lions
- Satellite IV, V &VI-Mitiyala-Liliya: 51 lions
Gir Information:-
- Best Time To Visit Gir National Park
- Gir Lion Safari Permit Tips
- Historic Architecture Tour Of Gujarat
- How To Reach Gir National Park
- Jeep Safari In Sasan Gir
- Kankai Safari In Gir National Park
- Tourist Attraction Near Gir
- Wildlife Sanctuaries in Gujarat
- Online Gir Safari Booking
- Devaliya Safari Park Booking
- About Gir National Park
- Do's & Don'ts In Gir
- Wildlife Sanctuaries in Gujarat
- Gir Jungle Trail
- GIZ Devalia Jeep Safari
- Gujarat Tourism
- About Sasan Gir
- Flora in Gir
- Synopsis on Gir Lions
