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  India » Gir
      City Guide



Sprawling over 1,424 sq. km, the dry deciduous forests of Sasan Gir are endowed with abundant flora and fauna. Apart from being home to several species of mammals, reptiles, insects and birds, Gir is the only place in the world, outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat. Their number of lions in Gir had dwindled to a mere 15 by the turn of the century, due to extensive trophy hunting. The forest was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1969, and six years later, its core area of 140.4 sq. km, was constituted into a national park which has since been expanded to cover 258.71 sq km. With continuing efforts, the lion population has gone up to 312.

The Gir lion measures 2.75 metres in length, with a rich tail tassel and a prominent belly. It is more shaggy and a shade lighter brown than its African counterpart.

 




By Air
Nearest airport Keshod (90 km via Veraval).

By Rail
Metre gauge rail line of 395 km from Ahmedabad.

By Road
Ahmedabad (400 km via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda), Veraval (43 km) and Junagadh (65 km via Mendarda). State Transport buses run from Junagadh and Veraval between November and June.


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City Code
02877

Area
258.71 sq. km


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Flora in Gir National Park
The Gir National Park is a mixed deciduous forest with teak, flame of the forest, some Acacia and Banyan trees. A distinct belt of vegetation is found along the main rivers and streams. Species like the Jambu, Karanj, Umro, Vad, Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli are found here. These trees are mostly broad leaved and evergreen, giving the area a cool shade and the moisture content.

Major Wildlife Attractions in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
In India the Lion
population is spread across the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. But Gir is not just about Lions,the second most commonly found predator in the Gir is Leopard. Infact, Gir national park is also home to one of the largest Leopard populations in any park in India, and especially in the hotter season they can sometimes be seen at night close to the lodges.

Other animal residents of the Gir national park are Sambar Deer, Chital Spotted Deer, Nilgai Antelope, Chowsingha Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild Boar, Langur Monkey, Jackal, and Hyena and numerous birds like Paradise Flycatcher, Bonneli s Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Woodpeckers Flamingo etc.

Other Attractions in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary

Jeep Safari
The best way to observe the big cats is, of course, in their natural surroundings, at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl. Wildlife viewing in the Gir?s is best done, by driving via jeep around the forest.


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