The Lion, Panther Leo, inhabits the forest of Gir in the Saurashtra peninsula, attracting sixty thousand visitors to this sanctuary of Gujarat every year. Gir today is the only plac in the World, outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat. This last refuge of the Asiatic lion was once threatened with extinction when the population of lions had dwindled to less than twenty in 1913. This prompted the British administrators to put a blanket ban on shooting of the lions and thereby affording the much-needed protection to the king of the wild.

From Biblical times till a hundred years ago, the Asiatic lion roamed over a vast area ranging from Greece through West Asia to Bengal and Bihar. The last lion seen outside Gir was in 1884, and the king of the jungle has taken his final refuge in Gir.

One foot shorter than its African counterpart, Gir lion has a maximum length of nine-and-a-half feet. It has a thin and short mouth and large teeth. It cannot use both the jaws at a time owing to these teeth. It has 28 teeth in all, 14 in each jaw and their main function is to break food rather than chew it. It has 18 fingers and an equal number of nails, which are used in killing the prey. These nails are of double fold and hollow and could be pushed forth and drawn back into the feet. While attacking the prey, these nails move forward and when the work is over, they get drawn inside. It has a powerful sense of smell and when separated from the family, it is guided by the smell in its search. Though ferocious, it shuns the presence of human beings. It can jump upto 16 feet and kill larger animals, but only when it is hungry. Of all the species of wild, it is only lion, who kills only when it is hungry and attacks human beings only if it is starving. This magnanimity has earned for it the title of the king of the wild.

The lion comes of age at the age of 5 years while the lioness becomes mother at the age of 3. Normally lioness gives birth to two or three cubs at a time. Due to their preference for an open habitat of the Savannah, the Gir forest is eminently suited to their requirement. Wildlife conservation programme started by the Forest Department in 1965 has raised the population of lion from 177 in 1968 to 304 in 1995. There is also reciprocal growth of herbivores (Cheetal, Samber, Nilgai, Wild boar, Chowsinga or four-horned antelopes, Chinkara) from about 9600 in 1974 to 38000 in 1995.

Though known the world over mainly for its lions, Gir is one of the few remaining forests comprising diverse habitats - open scrub country, dry deciduous and tropical thorn forest and an evergreen corridor along the riversides. The forest also harbours a variety of smaller animals and a large variety of birds. Other main predators are the powerful panther and the striped hyena. Sambar, the largest Indian deer, chital (spotted deer), nilgal (blue bull), chinkara and the unique chowsingha (four-horned antelope) are among the ungulates found here.

The state government has declared an area of 1412 sq.kms, as the Protected Area of which 259 sq. kms, is as National Park and 1153 sq. kms, as the sanctuary. Besides there is a Buffer Zone to monitor and regulate the spillover. The census carried out in May 1995 has revealed that the lion population is spread into seventeen zones, with the highest concentration in Jasadhar (39 lions), Dedakadi (39 lions), Visavadar (29 lions) closely followed by Khambha, Chhodawadi and Ankolwadi zones. The census has also registered the growth in the population of other carnivores such as panther' (268) and striped hyaena (137). The supporting herbivores have grown manifold with spotted deer population touching the figure of 32000 from a mere 4500 in 1974. It is said that, had, Gir not been the lion sanctuary, it would have been termed one of the finest bird sanctuaries in Gujarat. Of more than 300 species of birds that nest in the Gir, Crested serpent, Bonnalis and Crested Hawk eagles; Brown Fish and Great Horned Owls; Pygmy Woodpacker, Black Headed Oriole and Indian Pitta are the chief attraction. Another attraction is the large population of marsh crocodiles concentrated at Kamaleshwar Dam and Crocodile Farm.

The most important aspect of the Gir is that it has become a very stable ecosystem with tremendous regenerating, self-supporting and sustaining power due to its rich and diverse fauna and flora. It is the largest compact tract of dry deciduous forests in the semi-arid western part of the country with last surviving 'gene pool' in nature. The protection, which has assured preservation and growth, has given rise to fresh challenges, the challenge of territorial competition among the lions in the Gir. The issue is presently tackled by allowing satellitic population of lion outside the Gir in Girnar, Mitiala and coastal forest zones.

In the heart of the forest and 96 km. from Sasan, is Tulsishyam where hot springs are a special attraction. The famous Somnath temple is 45 km. away, via Veraval. Sirvan, 13 km. from Sasan, is a unique village where people from the African origin live. Known as the siddis, they were originally brought here by the Nawab of Junagadh for forestry work, but now have been declared an Indian tribe. Kamleshwar dam, in scenic surroundings is just 12 km. away.

As the practice of arranging lion shows was found to be cumbersome for the lions and with the view to reduce disturbance from the large influx of visitors, an Interpretation Zone has been created at Devalia, 12 kms. from Sasan. Comprising the chain linked fenced lion area of 412 hectares, it is Gir in a nutshell and ideal for the tourist in hurry. The basic aim of creating this facility is to provide opportunity of viewing lions and other animals in their natural habitat and to reduce tourist pressure on the Protected Area. The Zone remains closed on Wednesday.

The sanctuary is open to visitiors from mid October to mid June. During the monsoon months the sanctuary remains closed.

Entrance Fees to Park  (in Rupees)

Amateurs are allowed to use 8mm or 16 mm cine camaras without any fee.

Access
By Road From Ahmedabad Via Junagadh 402 kms. From Junagadh Via Mendarda 58 kms. From Veraval Via Talala 42 kms.
By Train Nearest Rly. Station Sasan Gir (Meter Gauge)
By Air Nearest Airport Keshod 70 kms. Daily flight from Bombay to Keshod

Accommodation

1. Forest Guest House, Sasan Gir
   Contact: Dy. Conservator of Forest, Gir National Park, Sasan
   Phone: 02877-85541
   
   
2. The Taj Gir Lodge
   Phone: 02877-85521, 85528 -- 079-400304 (Ahmedabad)
   
   
3. Maneland Jungle Lodge

Phone: 02877-85555, 079-6560338 (Ahmedabad)