Gir National Park and Sanctuary

Location: Gir, 42-kms From Junagadh, Gujarat.
Area: 1412.13-sq-kms.
Best time to visit : December- April
Nearest Town : Junagadh (42-kms)

Formerly the hunting reserve of the Nawabs of Junagadh, Gir Forest is the largest compact tract of dry deciduous forest in Gujarat and the only abode of the Asiatic Lion in the world. Protection was first given in 1900, when lion numbers were down to a mere 12 individuals! By 1936, the number had increased to 250 animals and today there are a little over 300 individuals. Gir was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1965 and given National Park status ten years later.

Besides the Asiatic Lion, Gir supports a large population of Leopard, and other carnivores include Jungle Cat, Jackal, Striped Hyena, Common and Ruddy mongoose. The herbivores include Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chowsingha, Chinkara and Wild Boar.

Over 300 bird species have been recorded here. These include the Shaheen Falcon, Bonelli's Eagle, Great Horned Owl, Tawny eagle and Blackwinged Kite. Grey and Jungle Bush Quail, Grey Partridge, Nightjar, Black-headed Cuckoo Shrike, Gray Drongo, Pied Woodpecker, Black Ibis, and White-necked Stork are also found at Gir.

The Gir National Park and Sanctuary lie in the south-west of the Saurashtra peninsula in the state of Gujarat. It is the last home of the Asiatic Lion and the only patch of extensive forest in the Saurashtra peninsula.

Latitude : 20° 40' to 21° 50' North
Longitude : 70° 50' to 71° 15' East

Area:
Gir National Park - 258.71 sq.km.
Gir Wildlife Sanctuary - 1153.4 sq.km.

This constitutes the Gir forest, which falls mainly within Junagadh district with a small portion in the Amreli district. Apart from the Protected Area (PA) there is a multiple use plantation on the periphery of the Gir which measures 470.6 sq. km. The terrain is hilly and the forests act as a sponge for the rain water which is released through 7 principal perennial rivers. It is no accident that this is the only area of the region with adequate groundwater and irrigation.

Altitude: The entire area of Gir consists of a series of moderately sloping low hills that are of volcanic origin with the altitude varying from 150 to 530 metres above mean sea level.

Temperatures : The temperatures vary from the peak in summer at 45°C, dropping below 10°C on cold winter nights.

Rainfall : The average rainfall is 1000 mm per year on the western part of the protected area and 650 mm in eastern Gir. The rainy season is from June to October