Sasan Gir, home to the last pride of an ancient race
Sasan Gir. As the woods of the Gir will disguise you, eventually the subtle faces of this deep will be unveiled. African features and rhythms amidst the low phony forest, will add to its majesty in the presence of the king of the beast. Things are established in the most natural way, where we are. However, everything here is not exactly what you will see. Along with various other species, peacocks are some that are not found in Africa, and this; is not the familiar story of lions of savanna. We are not talking about the much hyped lions of Maasai Mara. This is an absorbing experience; we are offering you to meet the leo persica, the Asiatic Lions in the Gir Forest of Gujrat in Western India. Explore the sanctuary spread across the forests and hills, over 1412 sq km about halfway between Veraval and Junagadh. Live the experience of lifetime, as you beguilingly drive through the thick and undisturbed forests of Gir, even if you do not have the royal company of the jungle.
Be a partner in the remarkable journey back from the brink of extinction, where these lions have rightfully reclaimed their lost territory and even colonized new habitat. This is the epic of the fall and rise of the last lions of India and you can be in the midst of it. However, this can be a demanding safari in the heartland of one of the most ancient races. In summer, this vast stretch of wilderness can be a harsh land; decimated and unforgiving, putting almost a month of dusty uncertainty with temperature clinching over 45 Degree Celsius, where the healthy earth dries up. However, it also harnesses the transformation. The annual rain brings deluge in a matter of weeks, and will turn the severe land to an emerald green.
Between these extremes the Gir plays a fickle post to one of the highest concentration of carnivorous in Asia. Since its inception in 1965, with a core area of 259-sq-km the population of lions has increased from 200 to 400. Over 300 species of birds and 36 species of reptiles have found their home in the Gir. The sanctuary’s 37 other mammal species, most of which have also increased in numbers, include dainty chital (spotted deer), sambar (large deer), nilgais (large antelopes), chousinghas (four-horned antelopes), chinkaras (gazelles), crocodiles and rarely seen leopards. Sasan Gir is a great destination for bird watchers too.
Spend some majestic time with the majesty in Gir, whose history has a strong and long connection to the antiquity. Be in the dwelling of the Gir lions, once which stretched west, across Asia, as far as Greece. These were the lions that Anthropolis and Deniel faced, the lions of ancient Greece and Bible. These were the same lions that the Romans set up on the Christians in the coliseum. Grab your chance to visit the very last of the ancient race, still living in Gir.
Baffle your senses to discover the mystic connection between the local people and the beast around. Although, the lions are here since time immemorial, and so did the African populace, the Siddis – possibly arrived in the 18th century with an East African princes, who married the Nawab of Junagarh, the local Indian rulers. Perhaps Gir is the last place left in Asia, where the semi-nomadic community of distinctively dressed Maldhari, has been here, amidst the ancient beasts, living on easy harmony with the large predators, as all their ancestors once did. These people are living here for centuries, grazing their herds beneath the nose of the large feline neighbours.
During your safari, visit the erstwhile hunting lodge of the Nawab of Junagarh, where the then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon had been invited for the big hunt. But, when discovered that there were less than 20 animals left, after decades of mindless spree of big game hunting, the momentous decision had been taken, to spare the last of India’s lions. Once protected, the population grew steadily, to make the place a World Heritage Site. Today, inside the deep woods of the Gir, the future for the wiry pride will finally look secured.
As, Gir is no longer big enough for the growing number of lions that currently live here; decision had been taken by the authority for some, to move to Madhya Pradesh to protect genetic diversity, but the Gujarat government opposed this plan, vying to remain the sole home of India’s lions. This is a royal opportunity for you to visit the safe haven of India’s last pride.
Are you interested to know more about the last pride of Asiatic Lions?
Let us hear from you at +91 33 4046 4646
As suggested and to be customized as per request
Loading..
