Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sasangir (Sasan Gir) National Park Facts
Sasangir (Sasan Gir) Forest & Sanctuary is known for its population of the only
pure
Asiatic lions in the world
. This sanctuary covers 500 square miles of dry, open scrub and
forest where lions roam freely and can be seen on guided jeep tours through the forest.
The forest area, and its lions, were declared as "protected" in the early 1900s by the
Nawab of the Princely State of Junagadh. This assisted conservation of the lions whose
population had plummeted to only
15
through slaughter for trophy hunting, and a severe
drought. Thanks to the Nawab, who banned all hunting in the area, the lions survived and
their numbers started to grow. Along with Sasangir Forest Reserve, Sasangir National Park
is made up of three adjoining reserves: Nalsarovar Lake and Sanctuary, with a wide variety
of water birds; Little Rann of Kutch, famous for the Indian Wild Ass (Travels With Sheila
would visit the "wild asses" later in this trip); and Flamingo Island.
The April 2010 census recorded
411lions
, an increase of 52 compared to 2005. The lion
breeding program in the park and surrounding area has bred about 180 lions in captivity
since its inception. This is not good news for the farmers that still inhabit land within the
preserve. There's nothing like a free and easy cattle meal for lions, who sneak up on them
through the abundant sugar cane fields. Yummy...
Though Sasangir is known for Asiatic Lions, the park has a sizable population of Leo-
pards, Spotted Deer or Chital, Antelopes, Striped Hyenas, Jackals, Nilgai antelopes (Blue
Bull), Sambar, Chausingha or Four-Horned Antelope, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Ruddy
Mongoose, Langurs, Jungle Cats, Indian Porcupine, Chinkara, and Gazelles.
The rugged topography and favorable climate support a wide variety of flora and fauna
in Sasangir/Sasan Gir. The National Park supports over 450 plant species, 32 mammals, 310
birds, 24 reptiles (our wayward crocodile spotted along the road would be relocated here),
and over 2,000 species of insects.
Vegetation in Sasangir/Sasan Gir is composed of deciduous forests with short and gnarled
teak trees, banyans, thorn bushes and grassland. The rugged terrain and the steep rocky
hillsides are covered with this mixed, deciduous forest; we even saw two eucalyptus trees
scattered among all the teak.
Major birds include: Peafowl, Peacocks, Parrots, Raptors, Spoonbill, White Ibis, Black
Ibis, Paradise Flycatcher, Honey Buzzard, Redheaded Merlin, Bonelli's Hawk Eagle, Cres-
ted Serpent Eagle, Painted Sandgrouse, Blossom-headed Parakeet, Spotted dove, Spotted
Owlet, Flycatchers, Woodpeckers, Flamingo, etc.
Whatever your interest, be it flora or fauna, the major attraction for tourists visiting Sas-
angir National Park is to see the lions. Don't expect to
see
a lion kill in the very thick forests,
