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> Gir |
| Gir National Park |
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Birdwatching |
More than 200 species of birds have been listed
from Gir, including raptors such as Ospreys, Perigrine Falcons,
Fish Owls, Crested Serpent Eagles, Bonelli's Eagles, Goshawks
and Pale and Montagu's Harriers. Water birds include Redshanks,
Jacanas, Plovers, Marsh Sandpipers, Ruddy Shelduck, Spotbills,
Shovellers, Nakta, Little Grebes, Lesser Whistling Teal, Ibis
and Painted Storks. Other avians that might keep birdwatchers
busy are Wrynecks, Nightjars, Pygmy Woodpeckers, Indian Pittas,
Shrikes, Drongos, Barbets, Indian Rollers, Grey Partridge, Jungle
Bush Quail, Painted Sandgrouse, Green Pigeons, Paradise Flycatchers,
Bush Larks, Bee-Eaters, Minivets and Warblers.
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Best Time for Viewing |
| The Park remains open from 7-11am and 3-5.30 p.m.
But dawn and dusk is when the magic is on. Animals are most
active at this time, one set preparing for hours of hunting
ahead and the other to grab some hard-earned rest. This is also
when birds are most active, though it's possible to see lions
almost all day long.
At one time 'lion shows' used to be held. These involved
walking a tethered calf or goat ahead of a pride of lions
so that tourists by the roadside could see the animal being
killed. This has been stopped, because apart from the barbarism
involved, it was changing the behaviour of the lions by making
them dependent on these feeds. As is the case all over India,
when VIPS arrive, staff are sometimes pressured into trotting
a calf before the lions. "But now we do not let the lions
kill it," explain the embarrassed forest staff.
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Climate |
Hot and dry, in summer (February to June) temperatures
can soar to over 43°C.
Winter (October-February) temperatures can be as low as 5°C.
Monsoon, June-October. Gir is semi-arid with scanty rainfall
(1,016mm) and almost every third year there is a drought with
less than 500mm of rainfall.
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Best time to visit |
Between December and April is the best time. From
June to October, during the monsoons, the forest is generally
closed to visitors.
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Getting There |
| Air: Keshod is the closest airport,
about 60 kms away. It is well connected by road to Gir.
Rail: Junagadh railway station is 65 kms
from Gir and is well connected by road. Sasan is the closest
railway station, on the meter-gauge line. Slow steam trains
run to Veraval twice daily, and to Delwada and Junagadh once
a day.
Road: Sasan Gir to Ahmedabad 895 kms.
Rajkot 160 km.
Junagadh 65 km.
Veraval 43 km.
State transport buses make the two-hour trip between Junagadh
and Veraval, via Sasan Gir throughout the day.
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Getting Around |
Permits are issued at the Park Information Centre in the Sinh
Sadan Guest House in Sasan Gir. Fees are Rs 15 per person for
the first day and Rs 7.50 the rest of the days.
Cameras Rs 35, video cameras Rs 75.
Jeeps and matadors can be hired from the Forest Department,
Sasan Gir with guides. No private vehicles are allowed to
enter the sanctuary. The jeep can take up to six people along
with a guide for three hours, at Rs 150 per person.
Gujarat Tourism buses are available from Rangmahal, Diwan
Chowk, and Junagadh.
Gujarat Tourism also organises park tours from Keshod including
an overnight stay at the park.
A trip to enter the zone at Dewalia including a round in
a minibus is Rs 100 per person. Transport to and from Sasan
is extra.
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