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Gir National Park

Spread over Junagadh, Amreli and Gir Somnath districts of Gujarat, Gir National Park is Asia’s only Asiatic lion habitat. Gir National Park is also known as Sasan Gir and basically, this national park is located near the place named Talala Gir.

Gir National Park covers an area of approximately 1424 square (550 sq mi), of which an area of about 258 square kilometres (100 sq mi) has been declared as a full national park.

And the remaining 1153 square kilometres (445 sq mi) have been declared a protected wildlife sanctuary. Apart from this, there is also a small wildlife sanctuary near this national park known as Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary which is spread over an area of about 18.22 square kilometres (07 sq mi).

After Africa, Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only forest area in the world where lions live in their natural habitat. The Gir forest area was declared a protected wildlife sanctuary in the year 1965 and after six years it is established as a national park by expanding the area of 140.4 square kilometres (54.20 sq mi) of this protected forest area.

At present, this national park has spread to about 258.71 square kilometres (100 sq mi). Originally, the Gir National Park is considered to be part of the Khathiyar-Gir dry deciduous forest area, which is spread over three major districts of Gujarat.

And if we talk about the geographical location of this park from these three districts, then we get to know that this national park is located at a distance of 65 km (40 mi) (southeast) from Junagadh. And it is located at a distance of 60 km (37 mi) (south-west) from Amreli, besides 43 km (27 mi) (north-east) from Somnath.

Now if we talk about the current number of lions in this national park, the 14th Asiatic Lion Census 2015 was conducted in May 2015. According to that census, in the year 2015, the number of lions in this national park was 523, which was 27% more than the 2010 census.

According to the 2005 census, the number of lions in the park was 359 and in the 2010 census, the number of lions was 411. If we look at the current population of lions (as per the 2015 census) district wise, then there are 44 in Gir Somnath district, 174 in Amreli district, 268 in Junagadh district and 37 in Bhavnagar district. These 523 lions have 109 males, 201 females and 213 cubs.

Gir National Park History

Before talking about the history of Gir National Park, I would like to tell you about the importance of the lion in the Vedic and ancient history of India. Although the lion is called the king of the jungle, in the symbols related to ancient Indian history, you get to see the mention of the lion prominently in many places.

If we talk about Vedic times, then we get to know that the lion is also depicted as the vehicle of mother Amba, a major goddess of Hinduism. From this, you can understand how important the lion must have been in ancient Indian culture. Now when we talk about Gir National Park, I would like to tell you that the history of this national park is more than 100 years old.

In the 19th century, when the British Raj was going on in India, the rulers of the Indian princely states used to invite the British officials to their princely state to do hunting etc. to please them. Due to this, a large number of wildlife was hunted in India at that time and due to this many species of wildlife either became extinct or reached the verge of extinction.

The same thing happened with the Asiatic lions. At that time the Asiatic lions which were found in many different parts of this country were now confined only to the private hunting grounds (Gir forest area) of the Nawab of Junagadh. Till around 1900, so many lions were hunted all over India that at that time only 15 lions were left in the Gir forest area of Gujarat.

Then the British Viceroy of that time alerted the Nawab of Junagadh about the declining population of lions. After which the Nawab of Junagadh declared the Gir forest area a protected forest area and banned hunting here. Here we talk a little bit more about the history associated with lions in India.

Till several hundred years ago, lions were found in different forest areas almost all over India. India’s neighbouring country Singapore was also named after the lion. At that time Singapore was called the city of lions. On the other hand, if you pay a little more attention to the history of India, then you will come to know that the Hindu kings of India used to put Singh (Lion) behind their names and this tradition is still prevalent in Hinduism.

In the Hindu religion, people of the Rajput community still like to put Singh in their name. In the 19th century, as forests began to be deforested in large numbers, so did the opposite effect on wildlife. As the forest became smaller, hunting increased and there was a shortage of food for the wildlife, due to which the wildlife became extinct or reached the verge of extinction.

Due to all these reasons, even magnificent wildlife like lions had reached the verge of extinction. Now if we look annually, the lions were completely extinct in Bihar in 1840, Vidhyachal and Bundelkhand in 1885, Delhi in 1834, Bhawalpur in 1842, Rajasthan and Madhya Bharat in 1870 and the western expansion of the country by 1880. By the year 1900, only about two dozen lions were left in the Gir forest area of Gujarat.

At that time, after the ban on hunting in the Gir forest area by the Nawab of Junagadh, the number of lions in our country started increasing gradually. In recent years, Lion was shifted to Amreli district located near Gir forests and has yielded very good results. At present, after the Junagadh district in Gujarat, maximum lions are found in the Amreli district.

Climate of Gir National Park

When we talk about the climate of Gir National Park, the day temperature goes up to 43°C during the summer season, which does not go well for tourism in any way. And in the winter season, the minimum temperature of this national park can go up to 10 ° C. During the rainy season, you may experience a little more humidity here.

In the Gir National Park, it rains from the middle of June to September. It receives an average of 1000 mm of rain per year. However, sometimes famine conditions also occur in this national park. The main water source of Gir National Park is the seven rivers Hari, Shingoda, Shetrunji, Machhundri, Datardi, Godavari and Rawal.

Apart from this, four dams have also been constructed on four big water bodies in this area so that there is no problem with water for wildlife. All these dams are built on Hiran, Rawal, Machundari and Shingoda rivers. The largest reservoir in this forest area is the Kamleshwar Dam which is also known as the “lifeline of the Gir”.

In the summer season, more than 300 water collection points have been made here for the drinking of wildlife. But when it is very hot here or there is drought, then most of these water-collecting points dry up. For this reason, it is a challenging task for the employees of the Forest Department to ensure that there is no shortage of water for wildlife during the summer season.

Gir National Park Flora

Gir National Park is considered to be the largest dry deciduous forest area in western India. More than 507 plant species are found in this national park. Most of the teak trees are visible in the eastern part of Gir National Park, which is spread over almost half of this park.

Apart from teak, you can also find trees like ber, forest flame, tendu, zizyphus, acacia, karanji, omlo, cirrus, Jamun, gooseberry, charal, banyan and kalam in Gir National Park. You get to see different types of acacia trees here. Gir National Park is also considered an important biological research area for our country.

Apart from this, this forest also provides 123000 metric tons of dry wood annually, the cost of which goes up to several million dollars.

Gir National Park Wildlife

Gir National Park is home to about 2375 types of wildlife and insect species. More than 300 species of birds, 38 species of mammals and 37 species of reptiles are found here. Apart from this, more than 2000 species of insects are also found here.

Among the carnivorous wildlife, wildlife such as the Asiatic lion, wild cat, golden jackal, leopard, Bengal fox, striped hyena, Indian grey mongoose and the ruddy mongoose is found here. Apart from this, the Asian wild cat and the rusty-spotted cat are also found here, but if you are lucky, then you can see them.

Among the major herbivorous wildlife of the park, you can see Nilgai, Chinkara, Chital, Wild Boar, Sambar, Blackbuck, Rabbit, Pangolin and Porcupine. Among the species of reptiles, you can find wildlife like crocodiles, tortoises, Indian cobra, python and monitor lizard in this national park.

The Gujarat State Forest Department of Gujarat formed the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in the year 1977 and under this scheme the department released around 1000 swamp crocodiles in the Kamleshwar lake of Gir and other water bodies around it.

The park is home to over 300 species of birds with abundant avifauna populations. Here 6 species of vultures of the Scavenger group have been recorded. Apart from this, natives like Indian Peacock, Crested Serpent Eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Black Headed Oriole, Bonelli Eagle, Brown Capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Indian Eagle-Owl, Rock Bush-quail, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Treeswift, Crested and Indian Pit And migratory birds can be seen prominently.

Places To Visit in Gir National Park

Kamleshwar Dam

Kamleshwar Dam located in the Gir National Park is considered to be the main tourist attraction of this park. Kamleshwar Dam, built on the Hiran River flowing in the Gir National Park, is considered the main source of water for the wildlife of the park. The Kamleshwar dam with a height of about 25 meters is very famous for marshy crocodiles and migratory birds.

You can get to see a lot of migratory birds around the Kamleshwar dam and that is why this part of the park is considered no less than a paradise for bird watchers. Kamleshwar Dam located in Gir National Park is considered to be one of the major attractions of this park.

Kankai Mata Temple in Hindi

Located just 25 km away from Gir National Park, the Kankai temple is considered a very revered place for the residents of Gujarat. According to a mythological event, when the Pandavas leave this forest area during their unknown habitat, they feel very thirsty.

Then at that time Arjun, a shoots arrows with his bow to draw water from the earth at this place. Near the temple, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is also called by the residents “Banej”. The residents here prefer to call the deities established in the main temple by the names “Shri Kankeshwari Mataji” and “Shri Kankai Mataji”.

The local castes such as Gurjara Suthar (Panchsar), Vaishya Suthar (Vadhiya and Padhiyar), Bhadreshwar-Vanja, Bhavsar (Bahekar), Unval Brahmin and Borkhetaria-Vanja Vaishya also worship the Goddess installed in the temple as their main deity.  You get to see plenty of natural beauty around the temple.

And apart from this, the Shingwada river also flows near the temple, which adds to the beauty of this garden, but you can take out some time for yourself here too. Thousands of devotees also visit Kankai Mata during the festivals celebrated in the temple every year.

Food or prasad is given free of cost to the devotees who come here. Whenever you go to visit Kankai Mata’s temple, make sure that you get out of the park safely before the stipulated time.

Jamjir Waterfall

Jamjir Waterfall is a very beautiful waterfall located near the Gir National Park in Jamwala village of Junagadh district of Gujarat. This is the only waterfall in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat in which you will find water falling throughout the year. Jamjir Waterfall is mainly a part of the Shingoda River.

This waterfall falls from a very high height, due to which the velocity of water in it is very high, due to which it is considered very dangerous to go near this waterfall. However, you can easily swim in the river flowing above the waterfall if you are a good swimmer. There is a Jamdagni Ashram near Jamjir Waterfall where you can cook for yourself and your friends or family members.

Devaliya Safari Park

Devaliya Safari Park, situated at a distance of just 13 km from Gir National Park, is a man-made park. The main purpose of its creation has been to reduce the human presence in Gir National Park. Apart from this, it has also been developed as an interpretation area to better understand the importance of the diverse wildlife to the tourists visiting Gir.

A chain-link fencing area has been built around the Devalia Safari Park, spread over an area of about 412 hectares. In this explanation, you can easily see most of the wildlife found in Gir National Park here. Among the wildlife found here, you can mainly see wildlife from lions, chinkara, spotted deer, sambar, wild boar and blue bull.

Somnath Temple

Situated just 58 km away from Gir National Park, Somnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a Shiva temple built around 1 BC. Somnath temple is worshipped as the first Jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The construction of the temple is mentioned in the Rigveda, which will give you an idea of how many thousand years old this temple can be.

The history of the construction of the present Somnath temple has been very bloody. As many times as the Mughal invaders destroyed this temple, the Hindu kings gave their all to the reconstruction of this temple.

The present building of Somnath temple was constructed by Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and in December 1955, Dr Rajendra Prasad, the President of India dedicated this temple to the nation. If you are coming to Gir National Park then you must visit Somnath Temple.

Gir National Park opening Time

Monsoon arrives in Gujarat in the first week of June every year. And around this time, the monsoon also arrives in Gir National Park, due to which this park is closed for tourists from 16 June to 15 October every year. The rest of the Gir National Park remains open for tourists from 16 October to 15 June.

Gir National Park Jungle Safari Timings

Season	Date	Days	Morning	Evening
Winter	16th oct to 28th/29th Feburary	All week	06:45 AM to 09:45 AM	03:00 PM to 06:00 PM
Winter/Summer	Depand on Weather	All Week	08:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Summer	1st March to 15th June	All Week	06:00 AM to 09:00 AM	04:00 PM to 07:00 PM

Note:- 01 The entry time of Gir National Park can be changed by the local administration at any time.

Gir National Park Jungle Safari Ticket

Type Of Safari	Days	Particulars	Indian	Forenginers
Gypsy Safari	Monday to Friday	Up to 06 Person	800/- INR	5600/- INR
Gypsy Safari	Monday to Friday	Extra Child	100/- INR	1400/- INR
Gypsy Safari	Saturday /  Sunday / Festival Days	Up to 06 Person	1000/- INR	7000/- INR
Gypsy Safari	Saturday /  Sunday / Festival Days	Extra Child	125/- INR	1750/- INR

Note:- 01 Maximum 06 persons are allowed on one e-permit or pass. Apart from this, a child between 03-12 years can also be included.

02 An e-permit does not include a guide charge of Rs.400/- and a gipsy charge of Rs.2000/- which you will have to pay separately to the respective guide and gipsy vehicle owners.

03  All rights related to safari and entry in Gir National Park are reserved with the Forest Department.

04  The entry and safari fee in Gir National Park is subject to change at any point in time.

05 You can book your tickets online from the official website of Gir National Park. (  https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in/GirJungleTrailBooking.aspx  )

Devaliya Safari Park Gypsy Safari Timing

Vehicle Type	Days	Morning	Evening
Gypsy Safari	Monday to Sunday	07:00 AM To 07:55 AM	03 PM To 3:55 PM
Gypsy Safari	Monday to Sunday	08:00 AM To 08:55 AM	04:00 PM To 04:55 PM
Gypsy Safari	Monday to Sunday	09:00 AM To 09:55 AM	05:00 PM To 05:55 PM
Gypsy Safari	Monday to Sunday	10:00 AM To 10:55 AM

Note:- 01 Devalia Safari Park is closed for tourists every Wednesday of the week.

02 It is possible to change the timings of the gipsy safari in Devaliya Safari Park the administration.

Devaliya Safari Park Gypsy Safari Ticket

Type Of Safari	Days	Particulars	Indian	Forenginers
Gypsy Safari	Monday to Friday	Up to 06 Person	800/- INR	5600/- INR
Gypsy Safari	Monday to Friday	Extra Child	100/- INR	1400/- INR
Gypsy Safari	Saturday /  Sunday / Festival Days	Up to 06 Person	1000/- INR	7000/- INR
Gypsy Safari	Saturday /  Sunday / Festival Days	Extra Child	125/- INR	1750/- INR

Note:- 01. Maximum 06 persons are allowed on one e-permit or pass. Apart from this, a child between 03-12 years can also be included.

2 An e-permit does not include a guide charge of Rs.400/- and a gipsy charge of Rs.1600/-, which will have to be paid separately by the respective guide and gipsy vehicle owners.

3 The Forest Department reserves the right to enter the Devaliya Safari Park and all the rights associated with the safari.

4 The entry and safari fee at Devalia Safari Park is subject to change at any point in time.

5 You can easily book tickets for yourself from the official website of Devalia Safari Park. ( https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in/GIZDevaliaGypsyBooking.aspx )

Devaliya Safari Park Bus Safari Timing

Vehicle Type	Days	Morning	Evening
Mini Bus	Monday to Sunday	07:30 AM To 11:00 AM	03:00 PM To 05:00 PM

Note:- 01. Devalia Safari Park is closed for tourists every Wednesday of the week.

2 It is possible to change the timings of the bus for the safari in Devaliya Safari Park by the administration.

Devaliya Safari Park Bus Safari Ticket

Type Of Safari	Days	Indian	Forenginers
Mini Bus	Monday to Friday	150/- INR	2800/- INR
Mini Bus	Saturday /  Sunday / Festival Days	190/- INR	3500/- INR

Best Time To Visit Gir National Park

The Gir National Park remains closed for tourists from the second week of June to the second week of October. Apart from this, the Gir National Park remains open for tourists in all other months of the year.

But when we talk about the best time to visit this national park, I would like to tell you that according to tourism, the best time to visit Gir National Park is from November to March.

But if you are a wildlife photographer, then the time of April to May is considered the best for wildlife photography. Although the temperature here becomes very high in April and May, this time is considered to be the best for wildlife photography.

Hotels in Gir National Park

There are many resorts, guest houses and hotels to stay around Gir National Park. Apart from this, there is also a government guest house named Singh Sadan, where you can stay while visiting Gir National Park.

Apart from this, with the help of many online hotel booking websites, one can also book rooms near Gir National Park. You must keep in mind that many resorts and hotels also book permits for jungle safaris in Gir National Park.

So if you want, you can book a jungle safari permit for yourself in advance with the help of these resort hotels. Just keep in mind that you may have to pay extra charges for this.

How To Reach Gir National Park

How To Reach Gir National Park By Air

If you want to come to Gir National Park by air travel. So there are many options available for you to travel around Gir by air. The nearest airports to Gir National Park are Keshod Airport (distance of 60 km) and Diu Airport (distance of 100 km).

Apart from these two, there is also Rajkot airport (distance 160 km) and Ahmedabad airport (distance 370 km). For both Rajkot and Ahmedabad airports, you will get regular air service from all the major airports in the country. You can easily reach Gir National Park from all these airports with the help of taxis and buses.

How To Reach Gir National Park in By Train

Sasan Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Gir National Park. From Sasan Railway to the station you will get regular train service from Junagadh and Veraval.

Junagadh and Veraval railway stations are very well connected by Rajkot and Ahmedabad railways and apart from this, you will also get regular train service to these two railway stations from many major cities of the country.

You can easily reach Gir National Park from Junagadh and Veraval with the help of taxis and buses.

How to reach Gir National Park by Road

You can easily reach Gir National Park with the help of taxis and buses from many major cities of Gujarat like Junagadh, Veraval and Amreli. Apart from this, Gir National Park is very well connected with many state highways, so you can easily reach Gir National Park with the help of your vehicle.

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