GIR Forest National Park - Wildlife at its best

The Gir forest national park and wildlife sanctuary is one of the coveted destinations for wildlife lovers. Established in 1965, the park covers an area of approximately 1,412 square kilometers. Gir offers shelter to Asiatic lions, Indian Cobras, Indian Leopards, Golden Jackals, Sloth bears, Jungle cats, Striped Hyenas, Indian Palm Civets, Indian Mongoose, Ratels, and many more wild animals. Some rare species that inhabit this place are desert cats and rusty-spotted cats.Latest review of GIR Forest National Park

Sole home to the Asiatic lions, Gir forest is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia. It is known for its unique ecosystem. A variety of flora and fauna make this park so desirable for wildlife enthusiasts. The government is making efforts to boost up the activities of the forest department, NGOs, and wildlife activists. Once upon a time, Gir served as the hunting ground for the Nawabs of Junagadh. Relentless hunting led to a drastic drop in the lion population. This made Nawab Sir Muhammad Rasul Khanji Babi declare Gir as a protected area in 1900.

Wildlife Attractions in Gir Forest

 

The approximate fauna species in Gir Forest is about 2,375, out of which 38 species are mammals, 37 species are reptiles, and around 300 species are birds. Besides, the park has about 2,000 species of insects too.

The group of carnivores mainly comprises Indian leopards, Asiatic lions, Indian cobras, jungle cats, golden jackals, striped hyenas, Indian palm civets, Indian mongoose, and honey badgers. While the sect of herbivores, include sambar, chital, nilgai, wild boar, four-horned antelope, and chinkara. From the surrounding areas, blackbucks frequent this sanctuary.

There are several smaller mammals too in the forest, like porcupine and hare. Pangolin is also seen here but it’s a rare occasion. The reptiles here are mainly marsh crocodile, tortoise, and the monitor lizard. Abundant snakes are found in the bushes and dense forested zones. Pythons bath in the sun along the stream banks.

Gir was promoted by the Gujarat State Forest Department as the major upholder of Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in 1977 and the authorities released around 1000 marsh crocodiles into the Kamaleshwar Lake and other smaller reservoirs and water bodies of Gir.

 

The avifauna population is plentiful here. There are more than 300 species of birds and about 6 specific species of vultures. Gir’s prized possessions are the crested serpent eagle, crested hawk-eagle, endangered Bonelli's eagle, brown fish owl, rock bush-quail, Indian peafowl, Indian eagle-owl, pygmy woodpecker, crested treeswift, black-headed oriole, and Indian pitta.

Gir Forest is known for male Asiatic lions. The dry scrub land and the open deciduous forest serve as the best habitat for this breed. These lions originally belong to North Africa, south west Asia, and northern Greece. From 411 in 2010 the number of Asiatic lions in Gir National Forest has increased to 523 in 2015.

Although, Gir Forest is well protected, Asiatic lions have still been poached in the past. Some other threats include forest fires, floods, and natural calamities. However, Gir is still the most promising sanctuary for wildlife in India and the best time to visit this place is from December to March. The forest remains closed from June to October (due to monsoons).