|
Located in the south west of the Saurashtra
peninsula, the Gir National Park is a haven to about
300 Asiatic lions. The 1,412.13 sq. km. Park has a
rugged terrain and the steep rocky hillsides are
covered in mixed deciduous forests
There are teak, ber, and flame of the forest and
banyan trees. Streams run through the deep ravines.
The lions, a smaller more compact version of their
African cousins, are best viewed at dawn or dusk
when they are on the move.
Gir also has nearly 210 leopards and numerous
chital, nilgai, chinkara, the four Homed antelope
and wild boar. Marsh crocodiles are often seen along
its rivers.
The forest is rich in bird life and the paradise
flycatcher black headed cuckoo shrike woodpecker,
Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, painted sand
grouse, bush quail and grey partridge are among the
variety that is found here. Three unusual reserves,
the Nalsarovar Lake and Sanctuary where large
numbers of water-birds can be seen; the bare saline
flats of the Rann of Kutch, incredibly the Home of
the Indian wild ass and the spectacular Flamingo
Island where nesting colonies of flamingoes are to
be seen, make Gujarat an exciting place for wildlife
enthusiasts.
General Information :
Best Time to Visit : December- Mid- June (Closed
during Monson till mid October).
Nearest Town : Veraval (42 km)
How to Get Here :
Air : Keshod (86 km)
Rail : Sasan Gir (1km).
|
