Suddenly, the silence is broken by the high-pitched alarm call of a spotted deer: danger is at hand. Somewhere out there the king of the jungle is hunting. This is the Gir National Park, the last home of the Asiatic lion, and Gujarat's most applauded wildlife park.
Located in the western part of Gujarat, Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is the only place outside Africa where lions are living. Spread across 1412 sq.km the park is a blend of dry deciduous forest and Savannah forest.
The area of Gir National Park was once the hunting ground for the Britishers during their reign in India and while hunting these great numbers of tigers and lions accompanied by several Rajas and Maharajas of the region, it was considered as the matter of great pride. It was in the year 1899, the major counts of lions decreased sharply with the affect of famine and as a result Lord Curzon cancelled his trip in Gir which was scheduled for shooting upon invitation by the nawabs of the region. By the time to save the more vulnerable acts like hunting and poaching, the Government of India banned the hunting process in the area in the year 1960 and today with an approachable count of increase in lions the area is only available for photo safaris. Today the park is recognized as one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species.
Gir provides you with the unique experience of visiting a place which almost singularly plays a crucial and defining role in the preservation and sustaining of a certain species. The preservation of these lions was initiated by the Nawab of Junagadh when these were just about to enter the phase of extinction due to hunting. Official count said that there were 411 lions in 2010. Also, there are roughly different 2375 species of fauna here with 38 species of mammals, over 300 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles and over 2000 species of insects.
Other important wildlife forms found here are leopard, chausingha, spotted deer, hyena, sambar deer and chinkara.
While the wildlife has been lucky, more than half the sanctuary’s human community of distinctively dressed Maldhari (herders) have been resettled elsewhere, ostensibly because their cattle and buffalo were competing for food resources with the antelopes, deer and gazelles while also being preyed upon by the lions and leopards. About 1000 people still live in the park, however, and their livestock accounts for about a quarter of the lions’ diet.
Climate
The best time to visit Gir National Park is during the winter season between December and March. It is during this period that the weather in Gir is pleasant and cool. Home to the majestic Asiatic Lions, Gir National Park is a place that is on the list of every animal lover and wildlife photographer. You will be able to easily explore this dense place during this time of year and also spot a plethora of other animals and birds. A safari in this national park during the winter season will be a delightful experience as each, and every nook and cranny is open to visit and explore.
- December - March
