Glancing through the history
Five hundred twenty-three lions, as well as hundreds and hundreds of other wildlife creatures, are now the inhabitants of this region. A lot of hunting expeditions took place during British rule. During those periods even the Indian kings and monarchs used to take an active part in these hunting sessions. Hunting was considered a matter of pride.
- The active role of the government
There was a decline in the number of lions after the area was affected by famine in the year 1899. At this time hunting was cut down and afterward, the Government of India introduced safety measures. As a result hunting and poaching were curtailed to a great extent. This led to significant growth in the number of lions.
- Varieties of wildlife
The lions now comprise of 310 adults and 213 cubs. The joint initiatives on the part of the government of India and NGOs have played a significant role in the increase of the headcount of these big cats.
- Group of carnivores
The carnivores comprise of Asiatic lions, cobras, leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, mongoose and sloth bears. Rusty-spotted cats and desert cats are also known to exist. They can be spotted rarely.
- Herbivores genres
The group of herbivores consists of nilgai, antelope, wild boars, and chital. In the surrounding area, blackbucks are also occasionally seen. The herbivorous count has increased in recent times. It is not uncommon to get a glimpse of mammals of smaller size such as porcupine and hare.
- Various reptiles
In the marshy areas of the sanctuary, you can come across the monitor lizard as well as the tortoise. In the bushes, pythons and other kinds of snakes are found.
- Bird species
The scavenger group comprises of six types of vultures. More than three hundred species of birds exist in this reserved area. Indian eagle owls and crested tree swifts are some of the common birds of this region.
- Exploration of the flora
A vast majority of the area consists of rugged hills along with forested valleys, grassland plateaus, and hilltops. Teak, timru, and amla are some of the common trees found in this forested area. Apart from these varieties some evergreen trees such as simal, umro and vad are identified. You may even come across specific patches filled with savannah type of grassland.
Catch a glimpse
If you are a lion lover, then you should pay a visit to Gir National Park. The primary objective of the Gir Forest is the conservation of the Asiatic Lions. Another task of the park officials is to ensure that there is no outbreak of potential diseases. The data obtained through patrolling helps not only in the monitoring of activities but also assists in the identification of potential threats. You should research about the region before taking a trip.