Gir National Park the Asiatic Lion's Last Strong Hold Is In India

Also known as Sasan Gir the forest is notified as Protected Area. The forests comprise Gir National Park and Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.  The total area is 1410.30 sq. Km of which 258.71 sq. km is the National Park and the rest is a wildlife sanctuary.

This was the erstwhile Nawab of Junagarh's private hunting area where when the population decreased drastically he put a stop to the hunting of the lions to save them from extinction. The move worked and today there are more than 600 lions living in the National Park and surrounding area. According to a famous documentary maker the lions have spread to over 22000 sq. km and they are also spotted near human habitations.

Gir National Park and the Sanctuary are well protected but not enough to support the growing population of predators. Alternative schemes to settle them outside Gujarat have back fired due to resistance. 

The Asiatic Lion was widespread throughout North and Central India but the wild animal is now restricted to a small region of Gujarat and no specimen has been recorded in the recent past elsewhere. 

The morphological difference lies in the mane which is smaller and less fluffy than its African cousin. There is no size difference.  The Asiatic lions also live in pride but usually hunt by part ambush and part chase due to the surrounding habitat comprising of the bush, scrub, and tall trees. They live on wild mammals and even consume livestock causing man-animal conflict.  

Asiatic Lion Safari is organized in a limited area at Gir. The lion safari booking can be done online as well. Tourists are not allowed to alight from the open jeeps in which the safari is organized. A guide charge and safari charge have to be paid while booking online while the jeep hire charge is separate. Morning safari time and evening safari time are fixed. The park is closed from 15th June to 15th of October.

For overseas visitors, tour operators' packages for Gir National Park are available that are all-inclusive. it is advised to book safari permits and travels in India in advance.