Place: Sasan Gir, Junagarh district, Gujarat
Nearest Town: Veraval (42km)
Best time to visit: Mid October-Mid June, November and February is the best time for sighting the lions
Main attraction: Famed as the only abode of Asiatic lion 

Situated about 65km SE of Junagarh district in the state of Gujarat in South West India, the National Park was established on 18th September, 1965, as a Forest Reserve, primarily to conserve the Asiatic lion-classified as one of the World's most threatened species. Now Gir National Park is the only remaining place in the world, where one is likely to see the Asiatic Lion. The sanctuary covers a total area of 1,412 sq. km of which 258 sq.km at the core forms the National park. Permits are required to enter this part of the sanctuary. 

The land is rugged with deep ravines, steep rocky hills and plenty of rivers. The vegetation, mainly along the main rivers and streams is mixed deciduous, with Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees, interspersed with large patches of grasslands and offers the visitor long pleasant drives, through the thick forest cover. These trees are mostly broad leaved and evergreen, giving the area a cool shade and moisture content. The Gir forest is dry for most of the year with scrub trees, like babul and few flowering trees.  Prosopis and Casuarina have been planted in the coastal border as part of the aforestation plan.

The Asiatic lion once had a wide range in natural territory running from NW India through Persia to Arabia. But unfortunately  hunted as a coveted trophy item during the British Raj era, it is now only found in the Gir forest of Gujarat. The famine of 1899 so decimated the Asiatic lion population that Lord Curzon cancelled his shoot at Gir, where he was staying as the guest of Nawab Junagadh. Curzon persuaded the Nawab to protect the remaining lions. In 1965, the India Government declared this place as a National park. The lion population which had sunk to an alarming two dozen in the early 20th century has slowly climbed over the years since, and now numbers about 300.

Within the sanctuary, there are numerous human settlements of cattle herders called Maldharis. There are also places of Hindu worship and pilgrimage and sulphur springs at Tulsi Shyam and Kankai Mata. At the edge of the park there are good populations of Indian Gazelle, protected by the religious sentiment of the local people.

Apart from the Asiatic lion, other wild attractions in the sanctuary are Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambhar, Black Bucks, the four horned Antelope, Wild Boar, crocodile, Indian Flying Foe, Grey Musk Shrew, Indian Hare, Pale Hedgehog, Small Indian Mangoose, Small Indian Civet, Indian Pangolin, Indian Porcupine, Ratel, Indian Fox and Jackal. The three smaller wildcats - the Jungle Cat, Desert Cat and the Rusty Spotted Cat, also inhabit Gir forest. The forest is also rich in bird life, and an estimated of 300 species are found inhabiting Gir National Park over the years, the most common is the peafowl.  

There are 6 routes in the park - the longest is 31km. Some of the most popular routes for a drive are the Sasan-Kamaleshwar Dam, the Sasan-Kankai, the Sasan-Chodavdi and the Sasan-Tulsishyam routes. You may occasionally be able to see lions with the help of tracker and guide. The Gir forestry department provides jeeps and guides on a daily basis.

All visitors to Gir are required to obtain entry permits from the Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge Office. The permits cost Rs 15 for the first day, and Rs 7.50 for every subsequent day. Extra charges are levied for cameras and for hiring vehicles: a jeep ride will cost about Rs 100 per person, and still camera fees range from Rs 50 (for Indians) Guide charges are, respectively, Rs 50.

The Gujarat State Tourism corporation offers a special two day package tour to the Sasan Gir Sanctuary. The trip includes reception at Keshod, the nearest airport (an 80 minute flight from Mumbai, and 90 km (56 miles) from sanctuary), accommodation at the forest Lodge, a sanctuary tour, and a visit to Somnath.

Best Time to Visit
Even if Gir National Park is one of the hottest and most visited wildlife reserves within India still the period one should visit this park is during the months of Mid October-Mid June. November and February is the best time for sighting the lions, who generally retire to the forest's interior during the summer. 

Accommodation

Lion Safari Lodge (Taj) Sasan Gir Phone : 022-2022524, 3322333 Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge (Govt) Forest Department Guest House  Wildlife division,  Sasan Gir,  Junagarh Dist Tel.: 02877-85521, 85528 Facilities : Located on the main road in an old house, the lodge provides good accommodation and meals at reasonable rates. Maneland Jungle lodge Sasan Gir  Ph: 02877-85555 Distance : 2km from Sasan Facilities: Double and single, bath attached rooms with a restaurant serving Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine. Wildlife viewing by jeep safari, Nature walks and sightseeing tours to the nearby by tribal villages are provided. To and fro transport from Delhi, Sawai Madhopur or Jaipur can be arranged.

How to get there

By Air: Nearest airport is Keshod 90-km via Veraval. There are daily flights from Mumbai to Keshod. Drive to Gir from Keshod or Rajkot (166-kms) airports.

By Rail: Meter gauge rail line of 395-kms from Ahemedabad. There is also a railway station at Sasan Gir (1km).

By Road: Distance of 400-kms from Ahmedabad via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda. State Transport buses are also available from Junagadh via Mendarda (65 kms) and Veraval (42 km) between November and June

Contacts

• The Sanctuary Superintendent,
   Sasan Gir, 
  Junagadh, 

• The Conservator of Forests,
   Sardar Baug,
   Junagadh.
  Dy. Conservator of Forests,
  Sasan dir, 
  District Junagarh.