Gir Forest National Park

Gir Forest National Park, also known as Sasan Gir, is a vast protected area in Gujarat spread over about 1,410 square kilometers, with 258 square kilometers designated as national park and the rest as wildlife sanctuary. It is famous as the only place outside Africa where Asiatic lions live in the wild, with the lion population steadily increasing due to concerted conservation efforts.

The park features dry deciduous forests, rugged hills, and several perennial rivers with reservoirs that provide water to the ecosystem. Besides Asiatic lions, the park hosts a variety of mammals including Indian leopards, jackals, striped hyenas, and herbivores like chital, sambar, blackbuck, and the rare four-horned antelope. It also shelters more than 300 bird species, many reptiles including marsh crocodiles, king cobras, and Indian rock pythons, creating a richly diverse habitat.

The park is closed during the monsoon season for safety and conservation, and it offers a unique wildlife experience focused on Asiatic lion sightings in their natural habitat, supported by a carefully maintained ecosystem with a blend of flora like teak and banyan trees. Gir Forest National Park stands as a global symbol of successful wildlife preservation and biodiversity in India.