Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat

The sole home of the Asiatic Lions, the Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1965. Spread over a 1,153 square kilometer area, the core National Park encloses 258 square kilometers. This fully protected wildlife area is located at a distance of 65 kilometers to the southeast of Junagadh and 60 kilometers to the southwest of Amreli Town. The diverse flora and fauna eco-system of Gir is well-fed by seven major perennial rivers and four water reservoirs located within these areas.

Flora

This is the largest dry deciduous forest area in Western India, which is home to over 400 varieties of plant species including a very large dry teak forest area mainly on the eastern portion of the sanctuary. Gir provides over 5 million kilograms of green grass alongside 15,000 metric tons of fuel-wood every year.

Fauna

An extensively large distinct wildlife of Gir includes 38 species of mammals, over 300 species of birds, 37 reptilian species and more than 2,000 varieties of insects. The most prominent carnivores include Asiatic lions, leopards, sloth bears, jungle cats, hyenas, golden jackals, palm civets and mongoose. Herbivores like chital, bluebull, sambar, four-horned antelope, chinkara and wild boar are highly preyed upon. A plentiful avifauna includes typical species of eagles, owls, and six recorded species of vultures.

Reaching Gir Forest National Park

Junagadh Town, which is comfortably accessible by rail and road, is situated at a distance of 360 kilometers from Ahmedabad. Rajkot Town is another convenient access point at a distance of 65 kilometers from Sasan Gir, the main center of the Gir Forest National Park.