Why visit Gir
- Largest compact tract of dry deciduous forests in the semi-arid western part of the country.
- Gir is the home of the last surviving "gene pool' of the Asiatic Lion.
- Rich biodiversity area supporting large number of species including several endangered species.
The Gir forest covers an area of 1150 square kilometres with 300 square kilometres forming the core area of the National Park. The park offers many excellent drives through scenic areas. Earlier the royal hunting grounds of the Nawab of Junagadh, Gir was later earmarked as a protected forest in 1975. The main carnivores of the Gir are the Asiatic Lion, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Hyaena, Jackal, Mongoose, Civet Cat, and Ratel. Desert Cats and Rusty Spotted Cats are very rare. The main herbivores of the Gir are Chital, Nilgai, Sambar, Chousingha, Chinkara and Wild Boar. In the adjoining forest there is a small population of Blackbuck. Among the smaller mammals, Porcupine and Hare are common but the Pangolin is rare. The reptilian fauna is represented by Crocodile, the Star Tortoise, the Monitor Lizard and a number of species of snakes. Python is also found sometimes along the stream banks. Gir is the last bastion on earth for the wild Asiatic Lion.
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