Gir National Park

Gir forest, the last bastion of the Asiatic lion, is a beautiful but harsh Teak tree dominated habitat. The tectonic movements of the Gondwana land split the Asiatic and the African lion species, and the park is now the only home in India for the Asiatic Lion. The Park's location is in the Gujarat peninsula in South-Western India. This dry deciduous habitat, dominated by short and gnarled Teak trees, thorn bushes and grassland, currently has over 600 surviving lions in the Gir forest region. Gir has had a successful Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in 1977 and released close to 1000 marsh crocodiles into Lake Kamaleshwar and other small bodies of water in and around Gir.

Fauna

The Gir Sanctuary has a wide variety of animals, the main one being the critically endangered Asiatic Lion, which are best spotted at dawn or dusk when they are on the move. Gir lions, loners, pairs or pride, when out on patrol, perceive little threat from humans and can be seen from relatively close quarters. The Park's primary carnivores apart from Lions mainly comprise the Indian Leopard, Jungle Cat, Striped Hyena, Jackal, Bengal fox, Desert Cat & Mongoose. The main herbivores of Gir are Chital Deer, Blue Bull, Sambar Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Chinkara and Wild Boar. Blackbucks from the surrounding area are seen in the sanctuary. Among the smaller mammals, Porcupine and Hare are common.

Asiatic Lion

Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions. Adult males weigh 160 to 190 kg, while females weigh 110 to 120 kg. The height at the shoulders is about 3.5 ft (110 cm). The maximum recorded total length of a male Asiatic lion is 2.92m (115 inches) including the tail. The most striking morphological character, which is visible in Asiatic lions and rarely in African lions, is a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly. The fur ranges in color from ruddy tawny, heavily speckled with black, to sandy or buff- grey, sometimes with a silvery sheen in a particular shade of sunlight. Males have only moderate mane growth at the top of the head so that their ears are always visible.

Avifauna

The avifauna diversity at Gir makes it a hotspot for birders. It has listed over 300 species, includes raptors such as Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons, Fish Owls, Crested Serpent Eagles, Bonelli's Eagles, Goshawks and Pale & Montagu's Harriers. Waterbirds include Redshanks, Jacanas, Plovers, Marsh Sandpipers, Ruddy Shelduck, Spotbills, Shovellers, Knob-billed Goose, Little Grebes, Lesser Whistling Teal, Ibis, and Painted Storks. Other avians that might keep birdwatchers busy are Wrynecks, Nightjars, Pygmy Woodpeckers, Indian Pittas, Shrikes, Drongos, Barbets, Indian Rollers, Grey Partridge, Jungle Bush Quail, Painted Sandgrouse, Green Pigeons, Paradise Flycatchers, Bush Larks, Bee Eaters, Minivets and Warbler.

Getting There:
The best way to get to Gir is by air. Diu Airport 90 km and Rajkot 160 km have flights from Mumbai only.

Recommended Circuit:
Cats & Culture: Delhi - Agra - Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary - Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Gir NP - Mumbai.

Tigers, Leopards and Lions: Delhi - Kanha - Pench - Tadoba - Mumbai - Gir.

Tigers, Wild Ass & Lions: Delhi - Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Ahmedabad - Little Rann of Kutch - Little Rann - Valavadar Blackbuck Sanctuary - Gir - Mumbai.

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