Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Gir Sanctuary


GIR – the King of the Jungle rules....

Prime Attraction: The Gir National Park with its Asiatic Lions, Leopards, marsh Crocodiles and Birds

Gir at a glance

The forests of Gir are perched in the low and excellently irrigated hills of the Junagadh district of Gujarat, India. This rugged terrain, spread over an area of about 1412.13 sq km, is the celebrated domicile of the king of the Jungle – the lion, the other being the forests of Africa. A bounty of about 300 Asiatic lions has made Gir, and with it, Gujarat, one of the raging wildlife destinations in India and worldwide. An expedition to Gir, however, has much more to it than the famous lions. A sneak peek at the lives of the Maldhari tribe, a community of graziers who live within the confines of the sanctuary and know almost all the animals, especially the lions, by heart – can be an curious study of living with the wild. Gir is edged with three wildlife reserves - the Nalsarovar Lake and Sanctuary, the Rann of Kutch and the Flamingo Islands, which gives you all the more reasons to plan a trip next vacation.


Wildlife Adventure in Gir

Gir is so synonymous for its lion community that one actually tends to forget the rest of its fascinating store-house of flora and fauna. The Park’s rugged terrain and deciduous forests make it an ideal refuge of one of the largest population of leopards – about 210 of them roam about scot-free and are even seen close to the jungle lodges at night. Other residents include Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chowsingha, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild Boar, Langur, Jackal, Panthers, Wild Cats and Hares and Hyena. Marsh crocodiles, another largest population, are often seen basking along the river banks.

Bird lovers need not feel left out. The good news is, the forests of Gir are a home to around 300 species of domestic and migratory birds. Paradise Flycatchers, Black headed Cuckoo Shrike, Gray Drongo, Pied Woodpeckers, Coppersmiths, Indian Rollers, Crested Swifts, Fish Owls, Black Vultures, Shaheen Falcons, Bonelli's Eagles, Flamingo, Crested Serpent Eagles, Painted Sandgrouse, Rock Bush Quail, Gray Partridge, Painted Storks and White Necked Storks are found here.
The best way to explore the wilderness and tread close to the King of the Jungle is in a jeep. You might have to stop here and there to make way for herds of Sambar, Nilgai or at times the King of the Jungle itself. And to see the majestic predator pass by languidly just a few steps away, is known to cause not just a wild adrenalin-rush but you will actually be amazed at how unaware it is of your presence, or of anybody else’s presence for that matter. A Jungle King par excellence! Go there between the months of November and June to experience for real what you just read.

Reaching Gir
The nearest airport from Gir is Keshod 90 km via Veraval. Visitors can easily catch daily flights from Mumbai to Keshod. The nearest rail connection is 395 km away at Ahemdabad. Gir is situated at a distance of 400 km from Ahmedabad via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda. State Transport buses are easily available from Junagadh and Veraval to Gir, between November and June.

Don’t forget to check these out....

Nearby sanctuaries: From Gir you can go to the Nalsarovar Lake and Sanctuary where large numbers of water-birds can be seen; the bare saline flats of the Rann of Kutch, the home of the Indian wild ass and the spectacular Flamingo Island where nesting colonies of flamingoes can be spotted.

The Crocodile Breeding Farm: There is an interesting breeding farm for crocodiles at Sasan, near Gir, which also provides the specimen that are relocated into the water reservoirs inside Gir.
More to the itinerary: Deva Danga, Riley's, Bawal Chowk, Kankai, Chodardi, Tulsishyam and Kamleshwar dam/lake are few of the sights near the Gir Sanctuary. A trip to other places of Gujarat can be a enriching experience after the feast of the wild. Visit the historical place of Junagarh (42 km) and Ahmedabad (400 km) and the pilgrimage sight of Somnath. You can also laze under the sun at the beaches Diu, Somnath or Veraval. And yes, don't forget to pick some interesting Gujrati embroidered clothing from the very homeland and feast your taste buds in the end with delicious Gujrati dishes.
Accommodation options
Gir has a host of Government forest bunglows and privately run hotels to fit any budget. The forest department run Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge and the Gir Lodge, can be excellent options.

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