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Gujarat
is a state rich in heritage of wildlife. The state has a rich variety of
wildlfe consisting of about 40 species of mammals and 425 species of
birds. The Asiatic lion has long been celebrated as The Lord of Beasts.
The
Indian Lion is another name for Asiatic Lion. In ancient society it was
considered as a symbol of human power and sovereignity. As population began
to grew and began cultivating or settling more and more of its forest and
scrublands, the Asiatic lion was squeezed nearly out of existence. |
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 Sprawling in an
area of 1424 sq. kms, Gir with its dry deciduous forest is a luxuriantly
rich ecosystem- endowed with floral and faunal plentitude. Thirty
species of mammals, twenty species of reptiles, several species of
insects and birds are found here. The forest is the only place in the
world, outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural
habitat. Gir, the last refuge of the king of the jungle, is one of the
largest and most important wildlife sanctuaries in India.
The number of lions in Gir had dwindled to a mere 15 by the turn of the
century, due to extensive trophy hunting.
The Gir lion is a majestic animal averaging a full 2.75 metres in
length, with a bigger tail tassel and a more prominent belly. He is more
shaggy and lighter brown than the African lion. Unlike its African
counterpart, the Gir lion never feeds on carrion.
Though known all over the world for its lions, Gir is one of the few
remaining forests comprising different habitats - open scrub country,
dry deciduous forest, tropical thorn forest and an evergreen corridor
along the river banks. The forest also harbours a number of smaller birds and animals. Other
predators are the panther and the hyena. The largest Indian deer,
Sambhar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai (blue bull), Chinkara and the
unique Chowsingha (four horned antelope) are found here along with the
bear and the long tailed langur.
Few people know that Gir is also one of the finest bird sanctuaries in
India. Some of the typical birds of Gir are the crested serpent eagle,
crested hawk eagle, brown fish owl, king vulture, jungle quail, paradise
flycatcher, pygmy woodpecker, hard headed oriole etc.
When to visit:
The sanctuary is open to visitors from mid October to mid June, but
remains closed during the monsoon months.
How to get there:
Air Nearest airport is Keshod 90 kms
via Veraval. Daily flight from Mumbai to Keshod.
Rail Meter gauge rail line of 395
kms from Ahmedabad.
Road Distance of 400 kms from Ahmedabad via
Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda. Distance of 43 kms from Veraval. Distance
of 65 kms from Junagadh via Mendarda. State Transport buses are
available from Junagadh and Veraval between November and June.
Accommodation:
Forest Guest House at Sasan Gir.
The Taj Gir Lodge - Tel.02877-85521, 85528.
Maneland Jungle Lodge - Tel.02877-85555.
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Just 65
kms. Southwest of Ahmedabad, is the delightful
bird sanctuary of Nalsarovar nestling around the Nal Lake, extending
over 11,500 hectares. Established in 1969 A.D., it is known to harbour
over 250 species of wetland birds. Nalsarovar sees winter migrants from
the north that includes Rosy Pelicans, Flamingoes, White Storks,
Brahminy Ducks and Herons.
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Located in the Bharuch district,
the Shoolpaneshwar sanctuary stretches to an area of 608sq. kms. It
boasts abundant plant and animal life. Here you can see leopards, sloth
bears, sambar, wild dogs, hyena, barking deer and a variety of
birds.
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