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About
Gir
Home to
the last
surviving
population
of the
Asiatic
Lions, the
Gir
National
Park is
Located in
the
south-west
border of
the
Saurashtra
Peninsula
in the
state of
Gujarat
India.
Inhabiting
about 300
Asiatic
Lions,
this area
flanked
with three
unique and
unusual
reserves,
the
Nalsarovar
Lake and
Sanctuary;
the Rann
of Kutch
and the
Flamingo
Islands
makes a
very
delightful
wildlife
holiday
for the
wildlife
enthusiasts.
Spread in
an area of
1412.13 sq
km, the
Gir park
area was
the royal
hunting
grounds of
the Nawab
of
Junagadh,
and later
defined as
a
protected
forest by
the
concerned
Government
bodies. In
1966, 600
sq km were
initially
bounded as
the Gir
forest
area,
which was
further
extended
to 1150 sq
km. The
park with
it's core
area of
approximately
300 sq km
was
officially
declared a
national
park in
1975.
Major
Tourist
Attractions
in Gir
The Flora
Species
like the
Jamun,
Karanj,
Ber, Tendu,
Semul,
Umro, Vad,
Kalam,
Charal,
Sirus and
Amli are
found
here.
The
Fauna
Besides
the
Asiatic
Lion, Gir
is also
home to
one of the
largest
Leopard
populations
in any
park in
India.
Other
animal
residents
of the Gir
national
park are
Sambar,
Chital,
Nilgai,
Chowsingha,
Chinkara
Gazelle,
Wild Boar,
Langur,
Jackal,
Panthers,
Wild Cats
and Hares
and Hyena.
The
Avifauna
Numerous
birds like
Paradise
Flycatchers,
Black
headed
Cuckoo
Shrike,
Gray
Drongo,
Pied
Woodpeckers,
Coppersmiths,
Indian
Rollers,
Crested
Swifts,
Fish Owls,
Black
Vultures,
Shaheen
Falcons,
Bonelli's
Eagles,
Flamingo,
Crested
Serpent
Eagles,
Painted
Sandgrouse,
Rock Bush
Quail,
Gray
Partridge,
Painted
Storks and
White
Necked
Storks are
found
here.
The
Reptiles
Marsh
Crocodiles,
Monitor
Lizards,
Pythons
and a
large
variety of
snakes.
The
Park Trip
Jeep is
the best
option to
explore
the park.
Getting
There
Airport :
At Keshod
(90 km via
Veraval).
Railways :
The meter
gauge rail
line of
395 km
from
Ahemdabad.
Road : Gir
is
situated
at a
distance
of 400 km
from
Ahmedabad
via Rajkot,
Junagadh
and
Mendarda.
State
Transport
buses are
easily
available
from
Junagadh
and
Veraval.
Accommodation
Accommodation
is immense
here.
There are
numerous
lodge and
jungle
resort
near the
park. The
forest
department
operates
two
lodges,
the Sinh
Sadan
Forest
Lodge and
the Gir
Lodge,
while some
private
lodges
also exist
close by.
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