Everything about Gir Forest totally explained
The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as
Sasan-Gir and
गिर वन) is the sole home of the pure
Asiatic Lions (
Panthera leo persica). The
Hindi name is "गिर वन". Measuring about 258 km² for the fully protected area (the National Park) and 1153 km² for the Sanctuary, the area is considered to be one of the most important
protected areas in
Asia due to its supported
species.
Established in
1965, the total area of 1412 km² is located about 65 km to the south-east of
Junagadh city of the
Junagadh district in the
kathiawar peninsula of
Gujarat state,
India.
The
ecosystem of Gir, with its diverse
flora and
fauna, is a result of the efforts of the Government forest department, wildlife
activists and
NGOs. The forest area of Gir and its lions were declared as "protected" in the early
1900's by the then
Nawab of the
princely state of
Junagadh. This initiative assisted in the conservation of the lions whose population had plummeted to only 15 through slaughter for
trophy hunting.
The
April 2005 census recorded the lion-count in Gir at 359, an increase of 32 compared to
2001. The lion breeding programme covering the park and surrounding area has bred about 180 lions in
captivity since its inception.
Climatic conditions
In addition to the two seasons of
summer and
winter, Gir has a
tropical monsoon climate. It can become very hot during the summer, with noon temperature reaching 43 °C or 109 °F, and
humid during the monsoon in June. In winter the temperature drops to about 10 °C or 50 °F. The normal monsoon starts from mid-June and lasts till September, with the annual
rainfall ranging between 600 mm and 1000 mm. However, because of the irregular monsoon and uneven distribution of rainfall across the peninsula,
drought years are common.
The park and the sanctuary remain open all year but the cool and dry weather between late-November and early-March is the recommended visiting period. During this period it's easier to sight the wildlife in the open.
Geography
Water reserves
The seven major
perennial rivers of the Gir region are
Hiran,
Saraswati,
Datardi,
Shingoda,
Machhundri,
Ghodavari and
Raval. The four reservoirs of the area are at four dams, one each on Hiran, Machhundri, Raval and Shingoda rivers, including the biggest reservoir in the area, the
Kamleshwar Dam, dubbed 'the lifeline of Gir'.
During peak summer, surface water for wild animals is available at about 300 water points. When drought hits the area following a poor rainfall, surface water isn't available at a majority of these points, and water scarcity becomes a serious problem (mainly in the eastern part of the sanctuary). Ensuring the availability of water during peak summer is one of the major tasks of the Forest Department staff.
Flora
More than 400
flora species have been recorded by the survey of Gir forest by
Samtapau & Raizada in
1955. The
Botany department of
M.S. University of Baroda has revised the count to 507 during their survey. According to the
1964 forest type classification by
Champion & Sheth, the Gir forest falls under "5A/C-1a—very dry teak forest" classification.
Teak occurs mixed with dry
deciduous species. The degradation stages (DS) sub-types are thus derived as: 1) 5/DS1-Dry deciduous
scrub forest and 2) 5/DS1-Dry
savannah forests (Locally known as "vidis"). It is the largest
dry deciduous forest in western India.
Teak bearing areas are mainly in the eastern portion of the forest, which constitutes nearly half of the total area.
The forest is an important
biological research area with considerable
scientific,
educational,
aesthetic and
recreational values. It provides nearly 5 million kilograms of green
grass by annual
harvesting, which is valued approximately at Rs. 50
crores (Rs. 500,000,000) (US$ 10 million). The forest provides nearly 15,000
metric tons worth of fuel
wood annually.
Wildlife
The count of 2,375 distinct fauna species of Gir includes about 38 species of
mammals, around 300 species of
birds, 37 species of
reptiles and more than 2,000 species of
insects.
The
carnivores group mainly comprises
Asiatic lions,
Leopards,
Jungle cat,
Hyenas,
Jackals,
Mongoose,
Civet cats, and
Ratels.
Desert cats and
Rusty-spotted cats exist but are rarely seen.
The main
herbivores of Gir are
Chital,
Nilgai (or Bluebull),
Sambar,
Four-horned Antelope,
Chinkara and
Wild boar.
Blackbucks from the surrounding area are sometimes seen in the sanctuary.
Among the smaller mammals,
Porcupine and
Hare are common but the
Pangolin is rare. The
reptilians are represented by the mugger
Marsh crocodile (highest population among all protected areas in India), the
Indian Star Tortoise and the
Monitor Lizard in the water areas of the sanctuary.
Snakes are found in the bushes and forest.
Pythons are sighted at times along the stream banks. Gir has been used by the Gujarat State Forest Department which adopted the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in 1977 and released close to 1000 Marsh crocodile reared in Gir rearing centre into the
Kamaleshwar lake and other reservoirs and small water bodies in and around Gir.
The plentiful
avifauna population has more than 300 species of
birds, most of which are resident. The
scavenger group of birds has 6 recorded species of
Vultures. Some of the typical species of Gir include
Crested Serpent Eagle,
endangered Bonelli's Eagle,
Crested Hawk-eagle,
Brown Fish Owl,
Great Horned Owl,
Bush Quail (or Quailbush),
Pygmy Woodpecker,
Black-headed Oriole,
Crested Treeswift and
Indian Pitta. The
Indian Grey Hornbill wasn't found in the last census of
2001.
Asiatic Lion Habitat, Distribution and Population
The Asiatic Lions habitat is dry scrubland and open deciduous forest. These lions were once found across northern Africa, south west Asia and northern Greece. Now there are only around 350 left in the wild and all of them are in the Gir Forest National Park.
Even though the Gir Forest is well protected, there are instances of Asiatic Lions being poached. They have also been poisoned for attacking livestock. Some of the other threats include floods, fires and the possibility of epidemics and natural calamities. Gir nonetheless remains the most promising long term preserve for the lions as they're thriving in the park.
The Lion breeding programme and lion-counting
| Year |
Count |
Male:Female:Cub |
| 1968 |
177 |
- |
| 1974 |
180 |
- |
| 1979 |
205 |
76:100:85 |
| 1984 |
239 |
88:100:64 |
| 1990 |
284 |
82:100:67 |
| 1995 |
304 |
94:100:71 |
| 2000 |
327 |
- |
| 2005 |
359 |
- |
The Lion Breeding Programme creates and maintains breeding centres. It also carries out studies of the behaviour of the Asiatic lions and also practices
artificial insemination. One such centre has been established in the Sakkarbaug Zoo at the district headquarters of
Junagadh, which has successfully bred about 180 lions. 126 pure Asiatic lions have been given to zoos in India and abroad.
The
census of lions takes place every five years. Previously indirect methods like using
pugmarks of the lion were adopted for the count. However, during the
census of
April 2005 (which originally was scheduled for
2006, but was advanced following the reports and controversy over vanishing tigers in India), "Block-Direct-Total Count" method was employed with the help of around 1,000 forest officials, experts and volunteers. It means that only those lions were counted that were "spotted" visually. Use of "live
bait" (a prey that's alive and used as a bait) for the exercise, though thought to be a traditional practice, wasn't used this time. The reason believed to be behind this is the
Gujarat High Court ruling of
2000 against such a use of animals.
Gir Interpretation Zone, Devalia
Gir National Park and Sanctuary doesn't have a designated area for tourists. However, to reduce the tourism hazard to the wildlife and to promote nature education, an Interpretation Zone has been created at Devalia within the sanctuary. Within its chained fences, it covers all habitat types and wildlife of Gir with its feeding-cum-living cages for the carnivores and a double-gate entry system. Typically the inside population of the zone includes about 100
spotted deer, about 100 Nilgai (or Bluebull), about 15 wild boars, about half a dozen sambars and blackbucks, and other mammal and reptilian species along with birds. In addition limited number of tourists are allowed into the sanctuary on designated routes. The best time to visit the area is outside the monsoon season.
Photographs
Photographs of Gir National Forest:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/chandrahas.dabke/GirForestGirnarMountain2023032008
Further Information
Get more info on 'Gir Forest'.
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