Gir National Park

Location - Junagadh District of Gujarat
Nearest Town - Veraval which is at a distance of 42 kms.

About Gir National Park
Gir National Park is situated in the western state of Gujarat and covers an area of 1150 sq kms with an 300 sq kms forming the core area. The topography of the terrain is marked by rugged low hills that have very few trees. The vegetation found in the sanctuary is basically mixed deciduous with stands of teak, acacia, jamun, tendu and dhak trees spreading in between in areas covered mostly by with large patches of grasslands.

The sanctuary is the only place where Asiatic lions are found. At one point of time, somewhere in beginning of twentieth century, these lions were almost on a verge of getting extinct (a mere 20 were left). However, the Nawab of Junagadh intervened and banned hunting in all the area. By 1965, the area was declared a national park and today, the number of lions stand at a reasonably good figure of 300. For a tourist visiting the sanctuary, these lions are thus a major source of attraction.

Best Time To Visit
For a all those interested in watching the wildlife of India, Gir park is worth visiting throughout the year, however, the best time lies between the months of November to June. The rainfall received by the park is pretty good with 1000 mm. Temperature varies tn the different point of time in the year and also reaches to its extremes.

Wildlife in Gir National Park
As already mentioned, the Gir National Park is the only remaining residence of the Asiatic Lions. As such, for any tourist these lions are a major source of attraction. The Asiatic lions are not as huge as their African counterparts, though they have some features that the African lions don’t have (like the manes and long fold of skins underside).

Fauna
Apart from the lions, there are other animals that catch the attention of the tourists because of their sheer beauty and magnificence. These animals include panthers, sambar deer, chital spotted deer, nilgai antelope, chowsingha or four-horned antelope, chinkara gazelle, wild boar, langur monkey, jackal and hyena.

Reptiles in the Park
Reptiles in the park include marsh crocodiles, monitor lizards, pythons and a large variety of snakes.

Avi - Fauna
For the lovers of birds also there is a huge variety to enjoy like paradise flycatcher, bonneli's eagle, crested serpent eagle and woodpeckers flamingo. The other birds that catch the attention of tourists on their visit to Gir National Park are black headed cuckoo shrike, gray drongo, pied woodpeckers, coppersmiths, Indian rollers, crested swifts, fish owls, black vultures, shaheen falcons, painted sandgrouse, rock bush quail, gray partridge, painted storks and white necked storks.

These colours of these birds give the entire forest a radiant appearance and their voice fills the air with life.

Trips in Gir National Park
Jeep Safari - Jeep Safari is the best way to enjoy and appreciate the wildlife of Gir National Park. A trip starting early in the morning provides a tourist an opportunity to explore the park in great deal.

Reaching There

• By Air - Keshod which is around 90 kms is the nearest airport which is connected to Mumbai by daily flights.
• By Rail - The nearest railway station is located in Sasan itself which is 1 km away.
• By Road - The State Transport runs buses from Jungadh and Verawal to Gir between November to June.