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Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary

Not very often, it happens that a wildlife sanctuary is known for its brand value, as is the case with Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary. Located in the lustrous environs of Gujarat, this sanctuary is one of the most visited natural parks in India, further made attractive by the fact that Asiatic lions are found only in this place in India. Besides that, Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary has plenty of beautiful sceneries to cherish by the wildlife tourists. Besides the Asiatic lions, this sanctuary has plenty of other species of animals, plants, birds and forests of deciduous, mixed with semi-evergreen trees and grasslands. With a perfect blend of wildlife and natural sceneries, the Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat has served as a tourist attraction with high repute in the state.

Location

Towards the south-western region of Gujarat, Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary is found at the point where Sasan Gir village is present at its entrance. In this village, the reception area, orientation and ticket counters are present. A few guest houses and hotels are also found. Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary is situated about 40 kms from Veraval, which is the nearest town, while from Ahmadabad and Junagadh, it is about 360 kms and 65 kms respectively. From the beaches of Diu union territory, this sanctuary is quite close. Nearby the sanctuary, there is another enclosure known as Gir Interpretation Zone which is at west of the Sasangir village at Devalia. This is also included in the tour itinerary of the sanctuary.

Reaching There

To reach the national park of Sasangir, the best approach is through Junagadh as plenty of buses and private taxis are available from here. Railway station at Junagadh is also well communicated with major cities in Gujarat. From Junagadh, it takes about one and half hour to reach Sasangir passing through Veraval.

History Facts

Presence of Asiatic lion in this region had been detected since 1884, but these were the favourite hunting grounds for the maharajas of that era. In early 1900s, the area was declared as protected region by the Nawab of Junagadh, a princely state. Along with various wildlife activists, efforts of the government and various NGOs, the number of Asiatic lion which had been 15 in the 19th century increased to about 411 in April 2010. The sanctuary was established in 1975. It has been through the proper management of ecosystem of Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary with its landscape, flora and fauna being prevented from becoming extinct.

Landscape

Geography of Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary has been ecologically managed with various efforts from government and people. It presently boasts of a wide range of flora-fauna and the perfect habitat for Asiatic lions and other animals. It is spread across an area of 1412 sq kms with seven important perennial rivers flowing across or into the sanctuary namely Hiran, Datardi, Shetrunji, Machundari, Shingoda, Raval and Godavari. There are four dams inside the area with one reservoir in each across the rivers of Machundari, Hiran, Shingoda and Raval, the Kamleshwar Dam being the largest.

Plant species in Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary are found in plenty, ranging up to about 400 species, while the forest type has been classified as very dry teak and deciduous forest. It has the largest dry deciduous forest in western India. Forest area serves as an important place for research on flora of the region.

Wildlife comprises of about 38 species of mammals, 300 bird species and more than 2000 insect species, besides the well known Asiatic lions. There is a mix of herbivores and carnivores with a sustained ecological balance. Avifauna population includes some interesting bird species, some of which are also migratory ones.

Lion breeding programmes and lion count is done with relevance to the Asiatic lions. There are breeding centres in the sanctuary itself where modern methods of even artificial insemination are being practised to help in the growth of number of lions. Counting or census of these lions is done every five years.

A trip to Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary is laced with picturesque sceneries, safaris with views of many wildlife animals and birds. Even though there are restricted areas, the visit to the sanctuary and the stay in the nearby guest houses and accommodations provide for a fulfilling holiday for the tourists.

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Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary
Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary
Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary
Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary
Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary
Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary

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