Gir is the only home in India for the Asiatic Lion of which there are nearly 300 in the park. The Gir National Park lies in the Gujarat peninsula in South-Western India. The terrain is rugged with low hills and the vegetation is mixed deciduous, with stands of Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees, interspersed with large patches of grasslands. The trees on the hills are sparse and stunted.Within the sanctuary, there are numerous human settlements of cattle herders called Maldharis with an estimated 20,000 head of livestock (which, incidentally, forms a significant part of the Lion’s diet). There are also places of Hindu worship and pilgrimage and sulphur springs at Tulsi Shyam and Kankai Mata. The edges of the park have good population of Indian Gazelle, protected by religious sentiments of the local people.
How to get there
By Air: Nearest airport is Keshod, while it will be ideal to travel by air to Rajkot and take a bus or taxi from here. Another major airport is Ahmedabad, connected to Delhi through daily flights (6:00 and 18:15). Indian Airlines flies Mumbai-Ahmedabad twice a day (5:30 and 19:30)
By Rail: The nearest railheads are Sasan Gir and Veraval, while the most convenient railway station is Rajkot. Delhi is connected to Rajkot through the Sarvodaya Exp. (Dep. 21:55, Monday), Jat Jamnagar Exp. (21:55, Sun), Dee Porbandar Exp. (8:25, Mon, Thu) and Uttaranchal Exp. (13:40, Sun). Daily trains plying between Mumbai and Rajkot include the Saurashtra Mail (20:25), Sau Janata Exp. (8:00) and Saurashtra Exp. (7:55). Another railhead is Junagadh, connected to Ahmedabad through the Jabalpur Exp. and Somnath Exp.
By Road:State Transport buses are available from Junagadh and Veraval between November and June. To reach the park from Ahmedabad, take the NH8A to Chotila via Bagodra, Limbdi and Sayla, NH8B to Jetpur via Rajkot and Gondal, NH8D to Junagadh via Vadal. From here, take the district road to Sasan Gir via Khadia and Mendarda. Volvo buses run between Ahmedabad and Junagadh (Rs. 200/head). From there a mini bus will take you to Sasan Gir.
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