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Get tour quotation & Itinerary suggestions from experts !!!
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West India Wild Life Park |
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Gir National ParGir National Park
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Location |
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Gir, 42-kms From Junagadh, Gujarat |
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Nearest Access
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Junagadh (42-kms) |
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Main Wildlife Found
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Asiatic Lions, Leopards, Chowsingha |
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Coverage Area
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1412.13-sq-kms. |
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The Gir NationalThe Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 65
kms to the south-east of Junagadh city of the Junagadh district in the kathiawar
peninsula of Gujarat state, India. Established in 1965, it has a total area of
1412 km squares in which 258 km square area comes under “fully protected area”
and 1153 km square area is for the Sanctuary. It is basically a hilly tract of
dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub, evergreen and semi-evergreen flora and
grasslands, fed by rivers and streams. But it is mainly famous of the only
remaining place in the world, where one is likely to see the pure Asiatic lions
(Panthera leo persica). At present there are nearly 300 lions in the park. |
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Flora in Gir National Park |
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The Gir National Park is a mixed deciduous forest with teak, flame of the
forest, some Acacia and Banyan trees. A distinct belt of vegetation is found
along the main rivers and streams. Species like the Jambu, Karanj, Umro, Vad,
Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli are found here. These trees are mostly broad
leaved and evergreen, giving the area a cool shade and the moisture content.
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Major Wildlife Attractions in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary |
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In India the Lion population is spread across the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. But Gir is not just about
Lions, the second most commonly found predator in the Gir is Leopard. Infact,
Gir national park is also home to one of the largest Leopard populations in any
park in India, and especially in the hotter season they can sometimes be seen at
night close to the lodges.
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Other animal residents of the Gir national park are Sambar Deer, Chital Spotted
Deer, Nilgai Antelope, Chowsingha Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild
Boar, Langur Monkey, Jackal, and Hyena and numerous birds like Paradise
Flycatcher, Bonneli's Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Woodpeckers Flamingo etc.
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Other Attractions in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary |
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Jeep Safari : The best way to observe the big cats is, of course, in
their natural surroundings, at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl.
Wildlife viewing in the Gir’s is best done, by driving via jeep around the
forest.
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Best Time to Visit Gir Forest |
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Wildlife enthusiasts can visit Gir park throughout the year, but the best period
to visit the Gir Sanctuary is between the months of November and June.
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How To Get There
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By Air : The nearest airport with connectivity to Delhi is Ahmedabad
about 390 kms and Mumbai has direct flights to Diu Airport, about 112 kms. |
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By Rail : The nearest rail connection is Rajkot and then the drive of
about 164 km takes three to four hours. |
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By Road : Gir is situated at a distance of 400-kms from Ahmedabad via
Rajkot, Junagadh, 60 km from Gir, or Veraval, 40 km from Gir. |
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General Info / Tips |
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Do not disturb the animals during day time as most of the nocturnal animals
sleep during day time.
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Take official guides along with you on the park trip. |
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Do not smoke inside the park. |
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Do not use flash or intrusive photography. |
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Picking of plants and insects is strictly prohibited. |
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For the safety of the visitors, walking and hiking within the vicinity of
the park is not allowed. |
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Camping and picnicking is not allowed within the park. |
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Carry plenty of water along with you. |
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Little Rann of Kutch |
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Little Rann of Kutch |
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Little Rann of Kutch is the only natural habitat left for the endangered Asiatic
Wild Ass in India and it’s also known as the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary.
Established in 1972, this sanctuary is one of the largest Indian Wildlife
sanctuaries. Little Rann of Kutch is bland, brown and flat. The landscape is
punctuated with saline dessert plains, stony and thorn scrubs, arid grasslands,
lakes and marshes. |
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The sanctuary provides shelter to around 253 species of flowering plants, 29
species of reptiles, more than 300 species of birds (both migratory and local)
and 22 species of fish. |
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Flora: The Rann of Kutch is full of dry thorny scrub, and the main
vegetation of the sanctuary includes many species of grasses. These grasses are
fodder the wild Asses.
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Fauna: Indian Wild Ass, chinkara, desert fox, jackal, desert cat,
caracal, nilgai, wolf, blackbuck, and striped hyena, and more.
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Avian-Fauna: Bird species include flamingos, avocets, spoonbills, spotted
and Indian sand grouse, francolin partridge, bustard quails, desert wheatear,
desert, larks, steppe eagle, imperial eagle, short toed eagle, vulture,
pelicans, ducks, common cranes, storks, and more.
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Major Attractions |
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Indian Wild Ass (also called Khur) : It’s the last three surviving
species of the Wild Ass in the world. The other two species are found in Tibet
and Central Asia. It’s a sub-species of Onager, and its dark mane runs from the
back of the head and to the neck. The dark brown stripe runs down from the back
to the root of the tail.
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Jeep Safari: While driving through the open space of the sanctuary, one
can spot the wildlife in their natural habit up close, and also observe their
behaviour. It’s a thrilling and a gripping experience.
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Location: Little Rann of Kutch is located in the north-eastern part of
Kutch district in Gujarat, 150 km away from the state capital Ahmedabad.
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How To Get There
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By Air: Nearest airport is in Bhuj and Kandla, one can drive from these
place to the sanctuary via Dasada. |
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By Rail : The nearest railhead is at Dhangadhra, around 22 km from the
sanctuary.
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By Road: The Rann of Kutch is accessible via Dasada village, 150 km from
Ahmedabad. Regular buses, auto-rickshaws, and taxis are available from Bhuj to
reach the sanctuary, and also there are direct buses from Rajkot. From
Ahmedabad, one can take a bus to Dasada, which is nearly 12 km northeast of
Zainabad, the nearest place to the sanctuary. |
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