WEST
Central INDIA
West India
India
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Gir National Park, located on the
southwest fringe of Saurashtra
peninsula, is the last bastion of
the Asiatic lion, and one of the
most significant protected areas
anywhere in the world.
In the wild, the Asiatic lion or
Panthera leo persica, whose habitat
once ranged from Greece to
central India, is now confined to
1,142 sq km of the Gir protected
area in Gujarat. The sanctuary
is criss-crossed by seven rivers,
namely Hiran, Saraswati,
Datardi, Shingoda, Machhundri,
Godavari and Raval.
At a glance
District: Junagadh
Nearest Airport: Keshod
(82 kms), Ahmedabad (340 kms)
Nearest Railhead: Junagadh
(60 kms)
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Best time to visit: mid Oct-
mid June
Timings: Sunrise to sunset
Closed from: Mid June-Aug
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Entry fee: Indians - Mon-Fri
Rs 400, Sat-Sun Rs 500, Rs 600 on
holidays, for vehicles carrying up
to 6 people. Foreigners - $40
It is believed that the Nawab of
Junagadh took the initiative of
saving these lions from extinction
in 1907, and banned hunting,
following a famine in the region.
There were only about a dozen
lions le! then but by the time
the first census was carried out
in 1936 their number had risen
to 287. Apart from Asiatic lions,
Gir National Park is home to
leopards, sloth bears, jungle cats,
and desert cats. It also has over
300 species of birds.
ABOVE: A lioness and her cubs in
their natural habitat
Safari charges Rs 1,650 (Indians);
Rs 3,250 (Foreigners)
Vehicle fee: Rs 500
Camera fee: Rs 100 (Indians);
Rs 500 (Foreigners)
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Major fauna: Asiatic lion, sloth
bear, cobra, jungle cat, cobra,
crested serpent eagle
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Where to stay: Cottages within
the park
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