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{{Short description|Forest, national park, and wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, India}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}

{{Infobox protected area
| name = Gir National Park
| alt_name =
| iucn_category = II
| photo = Gir lion-Gir forest,junagadh,gujarat,india.jpeg
| photo_caption = Family of [[Asiatic lion]]s at Gir National Park
| map_image = Map_Guj_Nat_Parks_Sanctuary.png
| map_caption = Location map
| location = [[Junagadh District|Junagadh]], [[Gir Somnath District|Gir Somnath]] and [[Amreli District|Amreli]] Districts, [[Gujarat]], [[India]]
| nearest_city = [[Talala (Gir)]], [[Veraval]]
| coords = {{Coord|21|08|08|N|70|47|48|E|region:IN-GJ_type:landmark_source:dewiki|display=inline,title}}
| established = 1965
| visitation_num = 60,148
| visitation_year = 2004
| governing_body = Forests & Environment Department
| area_km2 = 1,410.30
}}

'''Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary''', also known as '''Sasan Gir''', is a forest, [[national park]], and [[wildlife sanctuary]] near [[Talala (Gir)|Talala Gir]] in [[Gujarat]], [[India]]. It is located {{convert|43|km|abbr=on}} north-east of [[Somnath]], {{convert|65|km|abbr=on}} south-east of [[Junagadh]] and {{convert|60|km|abbr=on}} south-west of [[Amreli]]. It was established in 1965 in the erstwhile [[Nawab of Junagarh]]'s private hunting area, with a total area of {{convert|1410.30|km2|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|258.71|km2|abbr=on}} is fully protected as a national park and {{convert|1151.59|km2|abbr=on}} as wildlife sanctuary.<ref name="gog">{{cite web | url=http://gujenvfor.gswan.gov.in/wildlife/national-park/wildlife-gir-nat-park.htm | title=Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary | publisher=Forests and Environment Department | work=[[Government of Gujarat]] | access-date=16 April 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122025644/http://gujenvfor.gswan.gov.in/wildlife/national-park/wildlife-gir-nat-park.htm | archive-date=22 November 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> It is part of the [[Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests]] [[ecoregion]].<ref name="WWF, SA: NI">{{WWF ecoregion |id=im0206 |name=Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests |access-date=2017-01-29}}</ref><ref name="jhala2008">{{cite book |title=Status of the Tigers, Co-predators, and Prey in India |editor1=[[Yadvendradev Vikramsinh Jhala|Jhala]], Y. V. |editor2=Gopal, R. |editor3=Qureshi, Q. |publisher=National Tiger Conservation Authority, Govt. of India, New Delhi; Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun |year=2008 |series=TR 08/001 |url=http://projecttiger.nic.in/whtsnew/status_of_tigers_in_india_2008.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602124630/http://projecttiger.nic.in/whtsnew/status_of_tigers_in_india_2008.pdf |archive-date=2 June 2013 |df=dmy}}</ref>

The 14th Asiatic Lion Census 2015 was conducted in May 2015. In 2015, the population was 523 (27% up compared to previous census in 2010). The population was 411 in 2010 and 359 in 2005. The lion population in [[Junagadh]] District was 268 individuals, 44 in Gir Somnath District, 174 in Amreli District, and 37 in Bhavangar District. There are 109 males, 201 females and 213 cubs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deshgujarat.com/2015/05/10/asiatic-lion-population-up-from-411-to-523-in-five-years/|title=Asiatic Lion population up from 411 to 523 in five years|date=10 May 2015|website=deshgujarat.com|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref>

Gir National Park is closed from 16 June to 15 October every year, throughout the monsoon season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gaikwad |first=Rahi |date=2014-06-16 |title=Gir forest to be shut down till October 15 |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Gir-forest-to-be-shut-down-till-October-15/article11637690.ece |access-date=2022-07-27 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== History ==
In the 19th century, the rulers of [[Indian princely states]] used to invite the British colonists for hunting expeditions. At the end of the 19th century, only about a dozen [[Asiatic lion]]s were left in India, all of them in the Gir Forest, which was part of the [[Nawab of Junagarh]]'s private hunting grounds. British viceroys brought the drastic decline of the lion population in Gir to the attention of the Nawab of Junagadh, who established the sanctuary. Today, it is the only area in [[Asia]] where Asiatic lions occur and is considered one of the most important [[protected area]]s in Asia because of its biodiversity. The Gir [[ecosystem]] with its diverse [[flora]] and [[fauna]] is protected as a result of the efforts of the government forest department, wildlife activists and NGOs. It is now considered the jewel of Gujarat's ecological resources.<ref name="Wildvistas">{{cite web |title=National Parks and Sanctuaries: Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary |publisher=Wildvistas.com |url=http://wildvistas.com/nationalparks/gir/gir.html |access-date=2017-05-20}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:Map Guj Gir NatPark Sanctuary.png|thumb|Gir National Park and Gir Wildlife Sanctuary]]

===Water reserves===
[[Image:kamleshwar reservoir.jpg|thumb|Panorama of the reservoir]]
The seven major [[Perennial stream|perennial]] rivers of the Gir region are ''Hiran'', ''Shetrunji'', ''Dhatarvadi'', ''Shingoda'', ''Machhundri'', ''Ambajal'' and ''Raval''. The four reservoirs of the area are at four dams, one each on Hiran, Machhundri, Raval and Shingoda rivers, including the biggest reservoir in the area, the ''[[Kamleshwar Dam]]'', dubbed 'the lifeline of Gir'. It is located at 21°08′08″N to 70°47′48″E.

During peak [[summer]], surface water for wild animals is available at about 300 water points. When [[drought]] hits the area following poor rainfall, surface water is not available at a majority of these points, and [[water scarcity in India|water scarcity]] becomes a serious problem (mainly in the eastern part of the sanctuary). Ensuring the availability of water during peak summer is one of the major tasks of the Forest Department staff.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

===Flora===
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=vertical
|image1=Panorama of Jungle-Dedakadi Area-Sasan Gir-Gujarat-India.jpg |caption1=Panorama of Jungle
|image2=Teak trees in Gir Forest National Park.jpg |caption2=Teak trees}}
More than 400 plant species were recorded in the survey of Gir forest by ''Samtapau & Raizada'' in 1955. The [[botany]] department of [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda|M.S. University of Baroda]] has revised the count to 507 during their survey. According to the 1964 forest type classification by ''Champion & Sheth'', the Gir forest falls under "5A/C-1a—very dry teak forest" classification. [[Teak]] occurs mixed with dry [[deciduous]] species. The degradation stages (DS) sub-types are thus derived as:
# 5/DS1-Dry deciduous [[scrubland|scrub]] forest and
# 5/DS1-Dry [[savanna]]h forests (Locally known as "vidis"). It is the largest [[dry deciduous forest]] in western India.<ref name="gog"/>

Teak bearing areas are mainly in the eastern portion of the forest, which constitutes nearly half of the total area. Several species of [[acacia]] are found. Also found here are ber, jamun (''[[Syzygium cumini]]''), babul (acacia), flame of the forest, [[zizyphus]], [[Tendu leaf|tendu]] and dhak.
Also plants like karanj, umlo, amli, sirus, kalam, charal and an occasional vad or [[banyan tree]] are found. These [[broadleaf trees]] provide a cool shade and moisture content to the region. As part of the [[afforestation]] programme [[casuarina]] and [[prosopis]] have been planted along the coast borders of gir.

The forest is an important [[Biology|biological]] research area with considerable [[scientific]], educational, [[aesthetic]] and [[recreational]] values. It provides nearly 5 million kilograms of green [[grass]] by annual [[harvest]]ing, which is valued approximately at {{INR}} 500 million (US$7.12 million). The forest provides nearly 123,000 [[metric ton]]s worth of [[fuel wood]] annually.

==Wildlife==
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=vertical
|image1=Mugger crocodile in Gir Forest National Park.jpg |caption1=Mugger crocodile
|image2=Leopard in Gir 10 Feb 2015 AJT Johnsingh IMG 4861.jpg |caption2=Indian leopard
|image3=Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena).jpg |caption3=Striped hyena}}
The count of 2,375 distinct [[fauna]] species of Gir includes about 38 species of [[mammal]]s, around 300 species of birds, 37 species of [[reptiles]] and more than 2,000 species of [[insects]].<ref name="gog"/>

The [[carnivores]] group mainly comprises the [[Asiatic lion]], [[Indian leopard]], [[jungle cat]], [[striped hyena]], [[golden jackal]], [[Bengal fox]],<ref name="Alametal.2015">{{cite journal |author=Alam, M.S., Khan, J.A., Njoroge, C.H., Kumar, S. and Meena, R.L. |year=2015 |title=Food preferences of the Golden Jackal ''Canis aureus'' in the Gir National Park and Sanctuary, Gujarat, India |journal=Journal of Threatened Taxa |volume=7 |issue=2 |pages=6927–6933 |doi=10.11609/jott.o3954.6927-33|doi-access=free }}</ref> [[Indian gray mongoose]], [[ruddy mongoose]], and [[honey badger]]. [[Asiatic wildcat]] and [[rusty-spotted cat]] occur, but are rarely seen.<ref name="gog"/><ref name="Wildvistas"/>

The main [[herbivores]] of Gir are [[chital]], [[nilgai]], [[Sambar deer|sambar]], [[four-horned antelope]], [[chinkara]] and [[wild boar]]. [[Blackbuck]]s from the surrounding area are sometimes seen in the sanctuary.<ref name="gog"/>
Among the smaller mammals, [[porcupine]] and [[hare]] are common, but the [[pangolin]] is rare.<ref name="Wildvistas"/>

The [[reptiles]] are represented by the [[mugger crocodile]],<ref name="Da Silva and Lenin, 2010">Da Silva, A. and Lenin, J. (2010). [http://www.iucncsg.org/365_docs/attachments/protarea/17_C-f8ad64af.pdf "Mugger Crocodile ''Crocodylus palustris''], pp. 94–98 in S.C. Manolis and C. Stevenson (eds.) ''Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan''. 3rd edition, Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin.</ref> [[Indian cobra]], [[tortoise]] and [[monitor lizard]] which inhabit the sanctuary's bodies of water. Snakes are found in the bush and forest. [[Pythonidae|Python]]s are sighted at times along the stream banks. Gir has been used by the Gujarat State Forest Department which formed the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in 1977 and released close to 1000 marsh crocodiles into Lake Kamaleshwar and other small bodies of water in and around Gir.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

The plentiful [[Bird|avifauna]] population has more than 300 species of birds, most of which are resident. The [[scavenger]] group of birds has 6 recorded species of [[vulture]]s. Some of the typical species of Gir include [[crested serpent eagle]], [[endangered]] [[Bonelli's eagle]], [[changeable hawk-eagle]], [[brown fish owl]], [[Indian eagle-owl]], [[rock bush-quail]], [[Indian peafowl]], [[brown-capped pygmy woodpecker]], [[black-headed oriole]], [[crested treeswift]] and [[Indian pitta]]. The [[Indian grey hornbill]] was not found from the last census of 2001.<ref name="gog"/>

===Asiatic lion===
[[File:Adult Asiatic Lion.jpg|alt=Indian Lion Gir|thumb|An Asiatic lion]]
The [[Asiatic lion]]'s habitat is dry scrub land and open [[deciduous]] forest. The lion population increased from 411 individuals in 2010 to 674 in 2020, and all of them live in or around Gir National Park.{{cn|date=August 2022}}

In 1900 it was estimated that the population was as low as 100, and the Asiatic lion was declared a protected species. A census in 1936 recorded 289 animals. The first modern-day count of lions was done by [[Mark Alexander Wynter-Blyth]], the principal of [[Rajkumar College, Rajkot]] and [[R.S. Dharmakumarsinhji]] sometime between 1948 and 1963;{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} and a further survey, in 1968, recorded that since 1936 numbers had fallen to 162.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=CK5CDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA42 Annual Report 1972: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust; page 41];</ref>

Even though the Gir Forest is well protected, there are instances of Asiatic lions being [[Poaching|poached]]. They have also been poisoned in retaliation for attacking livestock. Some of the other threats include floods, fires and the possibility of [[epidemics]] and natural calamities. Gir nonetheless remains the most promising long term preserve for them.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

During a prolonged [[drought]] from 1899 to 1901, lions attacked livestock and people beyond the Gir Forest. After 1904, the rulers of Junagadh compensated livestock losses. Today, the lions in Gir National Park rarely attack people.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Rangarajan, M. |year=2013 |title=Animals with rich histories: the case of the lions of Gir Forest, Gujarat, India |journal=History and Theory |volume=52 |issue=4 |pages=109–127|doi=10.1111/hith.10690 }}</ref>

===Lion conservation===
{{Citations needed section|date=July 2022}}
{| class="infobox" style="width:200px; font-size:90%; border-collapse:collapse; text-align:center;" border="1"
|-
| '''Year''' || '''Count''' || '''Male:Female:Cubs'''
|-
| 1968 || 177 || -
|-
| 1974 || 180 || -
|-
| 1979 || 261 || 76:100:100
|-
| 1984 || 252 || 88:100:64
|-
| 1990 || 249 || 82:100:67
|-
| 1995 || 265 || 94:100:71
|-
| 2000 || 327 || 99:115:76
|-
| 2005 || 359 || -
|-
| 2010 || 411 || 97:162:152
|-
| 2015 || 523 || 109:201:213
|-
| 2020 || 674 || 277:260:137
|}
The Lion Breeding Programme creates and maintains breeding centres. It also carries out studies of the behaviour of the Asiatic lions and also practices [[artificial insemination]]. One such centre has been established in the Sakkarbaug Zoo at the district headquarters of [[Junagadh]], which has successfully bred about 180 lions. A total of 126 pure Asiatic lions have been given to zoos in India and abroad.

The [[census]] of lions takes place every five years. Previously indirect methods like using [[pugmark]]s of the lion were adopted for the count. However, during the census of April 2005 (which originally was scheduled for 2006, but was advanced following the reports and controversy over vanishing tigers in India), "Block-Direct-Total Count" method was employed with the help of around 1,000 forest officials, experts and volunteers. It means that only those lions were counted that were "spotted" visually. Use of "live [[bait (luring substance)|bait]]" (a prey that is alive and used as a bait) for the exercise, though thought to be a traditional practice, was not used this time. The reason believed to be behind this is the [[Gujarat High Court]] ruling of 2000 against such a use of animals.

During the 2010 census 'The Cat Women of Gir Forest' counted more than 411 lions in the park, and 523 in 2015. The women who do the counting are of traditional Muslim tribes in neighboring villages. There are over 40 women van raksha sahayaks, who seek only to protect the animals of the park.

===Ecological problems===
Gir National Park and Sanctuary faces a number of threats to its ecosystem. Natural threats include recurrent drought, cyclones, and forest fires.<ref name="WII-1">{{Cite web|title=Gir National Park and Sanctuary: Environmental Review of Activities |date=8 October 2015 |publisher=Wildlife Institute of India |url=https://wii.gov.in/eia/casestudies/ecodevelopment_projects_gir_national_park_and_sanctuary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515204855/https://wii.gov.in/eia/casestudies/ecodevelopment_projects_gir_national_park_and_sanctuary |archive-date=15 May 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Anthropogenic threats include over-grazing,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Berwick |first=M. |year=1990 |chapter=The Ecology of the Maldhari Graziers in the Gir Forest, India |editor-last1=Daniel |editor-first1=J. C. |editor-link1=J. C. Daniel (naturalist) |editor-last2=Serrao |editor-first2=J. S. |title=Proceeding of the Centenary Seminar of Bombay Natural History Society |location=Bombay |publisher=Oxford University Press |pages=82–95 |isbn=978-0-19-562652-0}}</ref> encroachment, excessive traffic and resultant weed infestation.<ref name="WII-1" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Berwick |first=S. H. |year=1976 |title=The Gir Forest: An Endangered Ecosystem: Complementary studies of the major elements of an area—people, domestic and wild animals, and plants—suggest ways to preserve its ecological integrity |journal=[[American Scientist]] |volume=64 |issue=1 |pages=28–40 |jstor=27847039}}</ref> Tourism contributes to this [[environmental degradation]], as does the mining carried out in the periphery. Pollution results from the railway lines that run through the peripheral zone.<ref name="WII-1" /> The narrow [[Population genetics|genetic base]] in the large mammals is also an issue of growing concern.<ref name="WII-1" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bay |first1=R. A. |last2=Ramakrishnan |first2=U. |last3=Hadly |first3=E. A. |year=2014 |title=A call for tiger management using "reserves" of genetic diversity |journal=[[Journal of Heredity]] |volume=105 |issue=3 |pages=295–302 |pmid=24336928 |doi=10.1093/jhered/est086 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Barda Wildlife Sanctuary]]
* [[List of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat, India]]
* [[Girnar]]
* [[Talala (Gir)|Talala Gir]]
* [[Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary]]
* [[In-situ conservation]]
* [[Wildlife conservation]]
* [[Siddi]]
* [[Baradiya]]
* ''[[The Lion Queens of India]]''

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{cite web |author=BirdLife International |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/18133 |title=Important Bird Areas factsheet: Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary}}
* {{Wikivoyage-inline}}
* [http://www.asiaticlion.org/ Asiatic Lion Protection Society]

{{National Parks of India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Gir Somnath district]]
[[Category:Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests]]
[[Category:National parks in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1965]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Junagadh district]]
[[Category:1965 establishments in Gujarat]]

Gir National Park - Revision history

Kausty: updated page

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article