Gir National Park
Highlights: Sulphur springs at Tulsi Shyam and Kankai Mata
How To Reach:
By Air: The nearest airport from Gir National Park is Keshod at a distance of 90 kilometers and then from Keshod, Gir can be reached after a drive of 166 kilometers.
By Rail: Ahmedabad station is at a distance of 395 kilometers from Gir. There is one more station and very near to Sasan Gir, at a distance of one kilometer.
By Road: You can reach Gir from Ahmedabad (400 kilometers) via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda.
Located at a distance of 42 kilometers form Junagadh, Gir is a home of the world famous Asiatic Lion. There are 300 lions in the rugged terrain of Gir National Park. The lions can be seen on their hunt in the large patches of grasslands. The hills are sparsely covered with trees. The vegetation in this area is mixed deciduous.
Teak, Khair, Sadad, Timru, Babul, Amla, Moledi, Dhavdo, Kadayo, Bahedo, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees are found nested by Bonelli's Eagle, Paradise Flycatcher and Painted Sand grouse. Near the river streams a different type of vegetation is found. Jambu, Karanj, Umro, Vad, Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli are some of the trees found near river streams. Due to availability of water these trees have broad leaves and are evergreen.
The avifauna found in the forest consists of 300 species of beautiful birds. One can see these colorful birds are seen on the forest floors, small plants and shrubs and even the canopy of the trees. The commonly found birds are Creset Serpent Eagle, Bush Quail Pied Woodpecker, Paradise Flycatcher, Bonelli's Eagle, Painted Sand grouse, Grey Partridge and Black Headed Cuckoo Shrike.
Besides lions, Gir also provides shelter to Indian wild ass, Flamingo, Chital or Spotted Deer, Chinkara, Nilgai, Sambhar, the four horned Antelope, Black Bucks, Wild Boar, Indian Flying Foe, Indian Hare, Indian Pangolin, Grey Musk Shrew, Pale Hedgehog, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Civet, Indian Porcupine, Ratel, Indian Fox, and Jackal. The three smaller wildcats - the Jungle Cat, Desert Cat and the Rusty Spotted Cat are also found in the forest.
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