Gir National Park

By Mira Pawar.

Gir National Park, located in Gujarat, India, is renowned for its diverse wildlife, particularly the Asiatic lions. This is the only Park in India which nurtures these royal animals. Gir National Park was established to protect Asiatic Lions along with Leopards and antelopes.  This is the only place after Africa that has more Asiatic lions.  Gir National Park consists of a mixed deciduous forest interspersed with semi-evergreen and evergreen trees, scrub jungle, large patches of grasslands and rocky hills. It’s the largest dry deciduous forest in western India.

Total area of Gir National Park is 1,412 sq. kms out of which National park covers 258 sq. kms; wild sanctuary covers 1,153 sq. kms and buffer zone is 470 sq. kms. With a focus on protecting the Asiatic lion population, conservation measures have led to an increase in population of lions, thereby enhancing wildlife tourism. There is often a push toward educating visitors about the importance of conservation and the role of various species in the ecosystem. There is also an ongoing amendment to regulate the number of visitors to minimize human impact on the park and its ecosystem. Improvements are part of the regular up-keeping which include better roads, more informative signage, and upgraded accommodations for tourists.

Gir National Park offers various tour packages for visitors, some of which are as follows:

1.Lion Safaris: The core attraction of Gir National Park is its Asiatic lions, and organized safaris are a popular way to observe these majestic animals in their natural habitat.

2.Nature and Wildlife Tours: These tours often include wildlife watching beyond lions, encompassing various species of deer, leopards, birds, and other wildlife native to the region.

3.Birdwatching Tours: Given Gir’s diverse avifauna, specialized birdwatching tours cater to ornithology enthusiasts.

4.Photography Tours: These may include guided experiences focusing on capturing the park’s wildlife and landscapes for photographers.

5.Jungle Camping and Eco-Tours: Some packages may also include camping experiences within or near the park, allowing more immersive experience of nature.

Many parks are integrating technology into their tour management systems, making it easier for visitors to book tours and access information. For specific and current tour offers, packages, and any recent changes, it is advisable to check with the official Gir National Park website or local tour operators.

Gir National Park gives option to also devour their local cuisine. Gujarati food is famous all over the world especially the thepla and dhokla. Some Restaurants in the vicinity to venture out for tradition Gujarati food is Red pepper, Temptation Tea post and Adingo.

If you are a shopaholic or want to buy souvenirs visit Bangdi Bazar. This market is famous all over Gujarat and is a great place for ladies to buy some beautiful bangles from this market. Gujari Bazar is another outlet which has everything that a tourist would look for. This is a special bazar not only for clothes, visitors can find anything here from food to gadgets and most importantly, traditional Gujarati clothes are also available. If you are on a budget shopping, then Gundawadi is the best place. The products here are priced reasonably and are of good quality. You can’t find branded shops here though. Materials for traditional dresses are available in abundance here.

Travel Mode:

Tourists can travel to Gir National Park by train, road or air.

By Train: The nearest railway stations to the park are Junagadh and Veraval which are both well-connected to the rest of the country. From the railway station, buses and taxis are available to reach the Park.

By Road: Gir National park is well-connected to other parts of Gujarat by road. Government buses or Private buses are available easily. Drive from Ahmedabad to Gir National Park takes about 8 hours.

By Air: The closest Airport is Diu Airport which is about 69 kms away but there are limited flight option. Airports with more frequent flights are Keshod Airport, Rajkot Airport and Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. From the Airport taxi or public transportation can be availed to reach the Gir Park.