Gir Forest Expansion

Government of Gujarat listed gigantic area of Gir as Wildlife Sanctuary on 18th September 1965 due to conserve the Asiatic Lions. The area of 1412.1 km2 is registered as Protected Area in which include 258.7 km2 as national park and rest of the land is known as Sanctuary. Apart from this, 470 km² listed as buffer and unclassified area that also comes under forest department. Hereby, the total area makes up 1883.6 km2 that touches to the Gir Somnath, Junagadh and Amreli districts.

About Gir National Park Location

Gir National Park is undulting at the foot of Girnar Hill which is also part of the Gir Forest. Even entire forest has moderate hills, huge valley and plateaus. The Northern part of the Hillier and southern part comparatively less hilly. The hills are volcanic origin and the rock types Dolomite and Basalt which means both types come out from the volcano. It is also known by volcanic rock. Along with this, sandstone, limestone, metamorphic are presents.

Gir Forest Climate

Sasan Gir National Park has a tropical monsoon climate such as Summer, Monsoon and Winter. By the temperature around 10o C – 30o C, the place is cold and dry during late November to early March while it faces heat waves late March to Mid – June and after that monsoon appear during Mid – June to Mid – October and Gir Forest receives the heavy rainfalls.

Gir Water Supply

Gir Forest has 7 major rivers that are full filling the requirement of forest wildlife. The rivers’ names are Hiran, Saraswati, Datardi, Shingoda, Machhundri, Ghodavadi and Raval.

There is also a river which is known by Shetrunji river which is flowing in northern part of the Gir but outside of the sanctuary. Apart from this, 4 major rivers are flowing in the Gir Forest that are flourishing entire Gir’s flora and fauna. During the drought season wild animals accept water from artificial 400 water points that are constructed the forest department. These points are filled by the tap water. Apart from this, four dams have been constructed on the Hiran, Machhundri, Raval and Shingoda, the total area of water catchment is 820 km2.

History of Gir Forest

During the beginning of 19th century, the Indian states rulers invited to the Britishers for hunting the lions and other animals. The result was that around dozen Asiatic lions were left in the Indian territory. During the 19s it was a private hunting land of the Junagadh Nawab who decided to conserve the forest. Now-a-days it is a place in the entire globe where Asiatic lions found. Only India is a country in the world who claim both tiger and lions as native animals of territory. Because of the hunting both the animals have been registered in the endangered list. After looking the decreasing population of these big cats, Junagadh's sixth Nawab Mahabat Khan and senior British officers run first lion conservation project in the 1879 in order to our next generation can familiar with these precious animals' species.

After them, this authority transferred to the Indian government and they perfectly managed to Gir Forest. Even, they are operating now and made a forest department for Gir who established Gir National Park on 8th September 1965 and made various rules so that they can increase the population of Asiatic lions and other wildlife make the maintain. Gir Forest Department run first lion conservation program in the 1990 in which they educated to the native people and taught how they should live with wild animals. There are maldhari tribe who live in the Sasan Gir Village that is located in Gir Forest. If we are looking the lions in India so because of them only. They understood their social responsibilities for wildlife and helped to the Gir Forest Department to increase population. During the Lion census on the 2020 which is known by 10th Edition is issued by Gir Forest Department, they clearly mentioned around 550 lions with cubs are living in the Gir Forest and department increased forest area so that animals can get huge area to move.

Gir Welfare Fund and Souvenir Shop

It is not an easy task to manage this gigantic area of forest and wild animals. The front line staff has more risk of their life. All the Asiatic lions under surveillance of CCTV and some rangers who take care of wild animals. They are recognized by forest department. The soldiers who take care of wild animals, specially Asiatic lion on landscape with high risk of their life so their family need to support in the absence of them. The forest department introduced a public trust namely Late Shri Visana Memorial Gir Forest Staff Welfare Association in the memory of Shri Shaktisinh Visana. Gir Welfare Fund generates fund with the help Souvenir shop at Sinh Sadan and Canteen that is located in Devalia. If you purchase any product from here so this is direct help to the trust and for Staff to improve livelihood.