Gir National Park

Go Gir in Gujarat to look for the Asiatic lions, for this is their only sanctuary in the world. In fact, Sasan Gir Forest is today the only place in the world outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in his natural habitat. The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than its African counterpart. The April census recorded the lion – count in Gir at 411. So, there are reasons to believe that Gir accords amply fair chances to spot lion or may be a pride of lions if you are attended by good luck.

The initiative & efforts of the Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh to get for Gir the status of “protected area” resurrected the fortune of this National Park. The population plummeted to alarming 15, discourtesy – slaughter for hunting trophy.  The number of Asiatic lions has been steadily on the rise since 1980 in the Gir Lion Sanctuary.

The rugged hilly terrain with steep rocky hillsides is dotted with innumerable streams that provide relief to the forest’s wild inhabitants during scorching summer. Artificial water holes have been created to serve during droughts that are not very uncommon.

Fauna highlights: Chital, Chinkara (Gazelle), Four-Horned Antelope, Leopard, Nilgai, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Ass Panther and the Hyena.
Avifauna highlights : Marsh crocodile can be sighted easily in its rivers, particularly in the lake of the Kamaleshwar dam. In fact, crocodiles are even bred at a breeding farm at Sasan.
Flora highlights: Teak, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees interspersed with large patches of grasslands.
Terrain Profile: It is the largest dry deciduous forest in western India. The forest has a rugged terrain with steep rocky hillsides with lakes and streams.