The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a forest and wildlife sanctuary
in Gujarat, India. Established in 1965, with a total area of 1412 km² and 1153 km²
for the Sanctuary), the park is located 43 km in the north-east from Somnath, 65 km to
the south-east of Junagadh and 60 km to south west of Amreli.
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 and its lions were declared as "protected"
in the early 1900s by the Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh. This initiative assisted
in the conservation of the lions whose population had plummeted to only 15 through slaughter
for trophy hunting. The April 2010 census recorded the lion-count
in Gir at 411, an increase of 52 compared to 2005. The lion breeding programme covering
the park and surrounding area has bred about 180 lions in captivity since its inception.
Geography
Water reserves
The seven major perennial rivers of the Gir region are Hiran, Shetrunji, Datardi, Shingoda,
Machhundri, Godavari and Raval. The four reservoirs of the area are at four dams, one each on
Hiran, Machhundri, Raval and Shingoda rivers, including the biggest reservoir in the area,
the Kamleshwar Dam, dubbed 'the lifeline of Gir'.
During peak summer, surface water for wild animals is available at about 300 water points.
When drought hits the area following a poor rainfall, surface water is not available at
a majority of these points, and water scarcity becomes a serious problem. Ensuring the availability
of water during peak summer is one of the major tasks of the Forest Department staff
. Flora
More than 400 plant species were recorded in the survey of Gir forest by Samtapau & Raizada
in 1955. The Botany department of M.S. University of Baroda has revised the count to 507 during
their survey. According to the 1964 forest type classification by Champion & Sheth, the
Gir forest falls under "5A/C-1a—very dry teak forest" classification. Teak occurs mixed
with dry deciduous species. The degradation stages sub-types are thus derived as:
5/DS1-Dry deciduous scrub forest and 5/DS1-Dry savannah forests. It is the largest
dry deciduous forest in western India. Teak bearing areas are mainly in the eastern
portion of the forest, which constitutes nearly half of the total area.
The forest is an important biological research area with considerable scientific, educational,
aesthetic and recreational values. It provides nearly 5 million kilograms of green grass
by annual harvesting, which is valued approximately at Rs. 500 million. The forest provides nearly
123,000 metric tons worth of fuel wood annually. Wildlife
The count of 2,375 distinct fauna species of Gir includes about 38 species of mammals,
around 300 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles and more than 2,000 species of insects.
The carnivores group mainly comprises Asiatic lions, Indian Leopards, Sloth bears, Indian
Cobras, Jungle cats, Striped Hyenas, Golden Jackals, Indian Mongoose, Indian Palm Civets,
and Ratels. Desert cats and Rusty-spotted cats occur but are rarely seen.
The main herbivores of Gir are Chital, Nilgai, Sambar, Four-horned Antelope, Chinkara and
Wild boar. Blackbucks from the surrounding area are sometimes seen in the sanctuary.
Among the smaller mammals, Porcupine and Hare are common but the Pangolin is rare. The reptiles
are represented by the Marsh crocodile hir Tortoise and the Monitor Lizard in the water
areas of the sanctuary. Snakes are found in the bushes and forest. Pythons are sighted
at times along the stream banks. Gir has been used by the Gujarat State Forest Department
which adopted the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in 1977 and released close to 1000
Marsh crocodile reared in Gir rearing centre into the Kamaleshwar lake and other reservoirs
and small water bodies in and around Gir. The plentiful avifauna population has more
than 300 species of birds, most of which are resident. The scavenger group of birds has
6 recorded species of Vultures. Some of the typical species of Gir include Crested Serpent
Eagle, endangered Bonelli's Eagle, Crested Hawk-eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Eagle-Owl,
Rock Bush-Quail, Pygmy Woodpecker, Black-headed Oriole, Crested Treeswift and Indian Pitta.
The Indian Grey Hornbill was not found from the last census of 2001.
Asiatic Lion habitat, distribution and population
The Asiatic Lion's habitat is dry scrub land and open deciduous forest. These lions were
once found across northern Africa, south west Asia and northern Greece. Now there are only
around 411 left in the wild and all of them are in or around the Gir Forest National Park.
The first modern day count of lions was done by Mark Alexander Wynter-Blyth, the Principal
of Rajkumar College, Rajkot sometime between 1948 to 1963, probably early in his tenure
as the Principal during that period. Even though the Gir Forest is well protected, there
are instances of Asiatic Lions being poached. They have also been poisoned for attacking
livestock. Some of the other threats include floods, fires and the possibility of epidemics
and natural calamities. Gir nonetheless remains the most promising long term preserve for
them. The lion breeding programme and lion-counting
The Lion Breeding Programme creates and maintains breeding centres. It also carries out studies
of the behaviour of the Asiatic lions and also practices artificial insemination. One
such centre has been established in the Sakkarbaug Zoo at the district headquarters of Junagadh,
which has successfully bred about 180 lions. 126 pure Asiatic lions have been given to
zoos in India and abroad. The census of lions takes place every five
years. Previously indirect methods like using pugmarks of the lion were adopted for the
count. However, during the census of April 2005, "Block-Direct-Total Count" method was
employed with the help of around 1,000 forest officials, experts and volunteers. It means
that only those lions were counted that were "spotted" visually. Use of "live bait" for
the exercise, though thought to be a traditional practice, was not used this time. The reason
believed to be behind this is the Gujarat High Court ruling of 2000 against such a use
of animals. Gir Interpretation Zone, Devalia
Gir National Park and Sanctuary does not have a designated area for tourists. However, to
reduce the tourism hazard to the wildlife and to promote nature education, an Interpretation
Zone has been created at Devalia within the sanctuary. Within its chained fences, it covers
all habitat types and wildlife of Gir with its feeding-cum-living cages for the carnivores
and a double-gate entry system. See also
List of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat, India
Girnar Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary is the site for re-introducing
and establishing the world's second completely separate population of the wild free ranging
Asiatic Lions in the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh, India
In-situ conservation Wildlife conservation
Siddi References
[1]; Official website: Forests & Environment Department; State Government of Gujarat, India
External links Gir - The last abode of the Asiatic Lion
Gir - The last home of Asiatic Lion Sasan Gir National Park
Gir Forest in Gujarat Deccan Herald: Gir registers highest ever
lion count "Call of the lion" - May 11, 2003
Lions are leaving their lair in Gir Finding more space for the Asiatic lion, The
Hindu - Opinion Frontline: A kingdom too small
Zoo Authority of India - Info on Asiatic Lion and its Genetics
"Translocating Asiatic Lions, India" - from Re-introduction Specialist Group of IUCN's
Species Survival Commission National Geographic: Asia's Last Lions
Gir Forest National Park travel guide from Wikivoyage
Panthera leo from "Animal Diversity Web" "Translocating Asiatic Lions, India" - August
1999 from: Re-introduction Newsletter of the Re-introduction Specialist Group of IUCN's
Species Survival Commission Asiatic l on Population and Habitat Viability
Assessment. Asiatic Lion Information Center
Asiatic Lion Protection Society, Gujarat, India
"Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary", HOME TO "ASIATIC LIONS", Forest Department,
Govt. of the State of Gujarat, INDIA Forests & Environment Department of the State
Govt. of Gujarat, INDIA PRINCIPAL THREATS: Asiatic Lion - Specie page:
CAT Specialist Group, IUCN - The World Conservation Union
"Vanishing Herds Foundation, India" comes to the rescue of Asiatic Lion
Samrakshan's The Kuno Initiative, Madhya Pradesh Regional Office, India.