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Gir
today is the only place in the World, outside Africa, where the
lion can be seen in its natural habitat. From Biblical times till
a hundred years ago, the Asiatic lion roamed over a vast area ranging
from Greece through West Asia to Bengal and Bihar. The last lion
seen outside Gir was in 1884, and the king of the jungle has taken
his final refuge in Gir.Even in Gir the number of lions had dwindled
to as low as just 15 around 1910. Serious and timely protection
measures have raised their numbers to just over 300.
The Gir lion
is a majestic animal, averaging 2.75 meters in length, and with
a bigger tail tassel, bushier elbow tufts and prominent belly folds
than his African cousin which has a larger mane. He is more shaggy
and a lighter brown colour than the African lion, but the two have
similar habits - resting in the shade by day and hunting for food
after dusk. Though
known the world over mainly for its lions, Gir is one of the few
remaining forests comprising diverse habitats - open scrub country,
dry deciduous and tropical thorn forest and an evergreen corridor
along the river sides. The forest also harbours a variety of smaller
animals and a large variety of birds. Other main predators are the
powerful panther and the striped hyena. Sambar, the largest Indian
deer, chital (spotted deer), nilgai (blue bull), chinkara and the
unique chowsingha (four-horned antelope) are among the ungulates
found here. Another attraction is the crocodile farm developed in
the forest as well as Kamleshwar dam where large populations of
marsh crocodiles can be seen.
It is said that
had Gir not been a lion sanctuary, it would have been termed one
of the finest bird sanctuaries in Gujarat. Some of the typical birds
of Gir are the creasted serpent eagle, creasted hawk eagle, brown
fish owl, king vulture, jungle bush quail, painted sandgrouse, paradise
fly-catcher, white breasted minivet, pigmy woodpecker, black headed
oriole, creasted swift and pitta. Adholia, Valadara, Ratanghuna
and Pilipat are places rewarding for bird watching.
In the heart
of he forest and 96 km. from Sasan, is Tulsishyam where hot springs
are a special attraction. The famous Somnath temple is 45 km. away,
via Veraval. Sirvan, 13 km. from Sasan, is a unique village where
people from the African origin live. Known as the siddis, they were
originally brought here by the Nawab of Junagadh for forestry work,
but now have been declared an Indian tribe. Kamleshwar dam, in scenic
surroundings is just 12 km. away. 12
km. from Sasan, is a representative area which is Gir in microcosm.
For a tourist in a hurry this is the best place to visit as wildlife
viewing is a certainty. This area is called the Gir Interpretation
Zone-Devalia. The facility remains closed every Wednesday.
Gir
today is the only place in the World, outside Africa, where the
lion can be seen in its natural habitat. From Biblical times till
a hundred years ago, the Asiatic lion roamed over a vast area ranging
from Greece through West Asia to Bengal and Bihar. The last lion
seen outside Gir was in 1884, and the king of the jungle has taken
his final refuge in Gir.Even in Gir the number of lions had dwindled
to as low as just 15 around 1910. Serious and timely protection
measures have raised their numbers to just over 300.
