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The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a forest and wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat. It was established in 1965, with a total area of 1412 km² (about 258 km² for the fully protected area the national park and 1153 km² for the Sanctuary).It is the sole home of the Asiatic lions and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species. The ecosystem of Gir, with its diverse flora and fauna, is protected as a result of the efforts of the government forest department, wildlife activists and NGOs. The forest area of Gir was the hunting grounds of the Nawabs of Junagadh. However, faced with a drastic drop in the lion population in Gir, Nawab Sir Muhammad Rasul Khanji Babi declared Gir as a “protected” area in 1900. His son, Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khan III later assisted in the conservation of the lions whose population had plummeted to only 20 through slaughter for trophy hunting.
Avi – Fauna
Suitable climatic conditions and presence of a large number of water bodies within the park has made it a popular destination for a large number of bird species. Birds like Pied Woodpeckers, White Necked Storks Coppersmiths, Indian Rollers, Fish Owls, Black Vultures, Shaheen Falcons, Paradise Flycatchers, Black headed Cuckoo Shrike, Gray Drongo, Bonelli’s Eagles, Painted Storks Flamingo, Crested Serpent Eagles, Painted Sandgrouse, Rock Bush Quail, Gray Partridge, and Crested Swifts are found here.
Climate
The temperatures in the park vary to extremes. In winters, the temperatures go down to 6 º C, while soaring up to a scorching 46 º in the summers. The best time to visit the Gir Sanctuary is between the months of November and June. The park remains open throughout the year. The park receives a good annual rainfall of 1000 mm.
Fauna
The second most commonly found predator in Gir is Leopard. Infact, it has one of the largest Leopard populations in any park in India and during the hotter season they can sometimes be seen close to the tourist lodges in the night. Other animal found here are Wild Boar, Langur, Jackal, Panthers, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chowsingha, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild Cats and Hares and Hyena.
Reptiles include Marsh Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Pythons and a large variety of snakes.
Flora
The Gir National Park is a mixed deciduous forest made up of trees such as teak, flame of the forest, Acacia and Banyan. Species like the Tendu, Semul, Umro, Vad, Kalam, Jamun, Karanj, Ber, Charal, Sirus and Amli are found here. These trees mostly have broad leaves and are evergreen in nature thus keeping the forest cool and moist.
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