All lion lovers, from all over
the world get ready to explore the Asiatic LIONS in their natural habitat at
the only place in INDIA @ GIR National Park[Truly Wildlife Experience].
What one can luxuriate in while
on a tour to GIR – SASAN. Jeep Safari [Cost – Rs.1,900 for 6 person]
Do you wish to see various
species of creatures from a close distance? If yes, then try jeep safari which
is indeed a wild appeal in SASAN – GIR. Spotting the lions while having a ride
of jeep is overall a remarkable experience. Not only this, travelers can catch
the pictures of various sorts of animals on camera. The jeep safaris carried
out from morning to evening [6-9, 12-3 and 3-6]. I visited 3-6PM timings. To
avoid last minute hassle, book the safari in advance.
Before I get down to our
experience @ Sasan - GIR, let me introduce you to GIR National Park initially, It
set up in 1965 with a total area of 1412 KM2 located in the
Saurashtra region of Gujarat and to the 43 KM north-east from Somnath, 65 KM to
the south east of Junagadh and 60 KM to wouth west of Amreli, it houses about
411 lions along with 2,375 distinct fauna species about 28 species of mammals,
around 300 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles and more than 2,000 species
of insects and also has several families of Madhesi tribals living inside the
safari park. It is the last area where Asiatic Lions [Panthera leo persica] not
only survive but also thrive, thanks to the awesome drizzling climate and is
also home to one of the largest Leopard populations in any park in India.
Sasan - GIR “Last Sanctuary of
Asiatic Lion’s” was a must visit for our group of eight who had gone on a Devotional
attachment to Somnath-Dwaraka. We were also enthused by the stories of how the
lions had got used to people around the forest and the fact that they had sort
of say opted to ‘harmoniously’ live with humans. They were known to be least
afraid of human presence and were known walk at a touching distance from humans
without fear. All 8 of us were all exited for the trip since we love wildlife
and this was our first jungle safari. I had my fingures crossed and hoped
desperately to see the KING of jungle.
On 8th of March’14 we took
a TAXI from Somnath To GIR at 11AM in the Lovely weather. The Taxi driver was
on opinion that 80% of people left GIR in disappointment since they were not
able to spot the lions and so to at least glimpse of a lion we should
definitely visit Dewalia Park. But his pessimism did nothing to dampen our
hopes. We reached @ Sasan 12.45PM and we were standing in the queue outside
Sing Sadan for the permit. Since this was not the peak season for permits,
as 30 vehicles were allowed for safari
in a vehicle maximum of 6 outsides are allowed and 1 driver and 1 guide. There
is a board outside that displays the safari permit status each day. We were
surprised to see advance booking on board as we were not aware of it. When we
enquired about it later, we were told that visitors could send a fax at Sing
Sadan and book safari in advance.
Finally after completing all
formalities, our vehicle entered the safari gate at 3.15 PM. My first ever
safari, wow... I was fultu exited, After entering into KING's DEN for first 15 minutes in the jungle I was so
exhilarating, that I felt like we might go with disappointment as weather condition seems to be little rainy and till that we did not see a single lion, I would still cherish
the trip. An open gypsy, a small dust track and the beautiful jungle with all
its sounds on both sides.
After 15 minutes the first animal
we spotted was the KING about six spend time around 10 minutes clicking pictures
inside I was having little fear as all the six lions were sitting and
chitchatting in the total trip we spotted 14 LIONS and 2 cubs lions playing
with each other. Initially, we came across many lion pugmarks and shortly on
left side of track we found a rescue van parked. The driver of the rescue van
informed us that there was a pride a little ahead. We quickly drove there and
found 3 lions and 4lioness, 2 were walking on the track and rest were sitting
middle of the track. In a few minutes six vehicles also reached the spot and we
spent a wonderful 15 minutes photographing the magnificent beasts as they
occasionally walked, sat for a few minutes and then walked again. The lion did
not seem to be concerned by our presence at all and coolly watched us. Since,
the vehicles are not allowed to stay on spot for more than 15 minutes, we
reluctantly drove away although we hadn’t had our fill of looking at them. It
is quite commendable the rules of the park ensure that the animals are not
disturbed and the guides and drivers strictly abide by them. After some time
again we saw two cubs and three lioness, the cubs were playing and mother was
protecting them and they went inside forest. At the end of safari we saw two
lions were resting beside a well & two were beside bushes it was very huge,
that was the last watch to see the KING at GIR.
Next we spotted deer, which is the preferred prey of the
lions, the number of deer’s have been increased this makes GIR very healthy
forest, since there is plenty of prey for the lions. I came to know from guide
that deer’s give birth twice a year. The male deer have antlers that they shed
every year. The antlers only serve the purpose of attracting females and as
soon as the mating season is over they shed them in order to appear as females
and disguise themselves from predators. Why? Because the predators are alert
and know that the males are weak after the mating period (lol).
Next we spotted many peacock at bushes and walking on the
track. We took many snaps and we were waiting if peacock would open their
feathers but couldn’t saw it!
Next we came across a forest tribal called a Maldhari with
his camel and buffalos. These tribals primarily raise cattle and supply milk to
the villages near the forests. These are the only people permitted to live
inside the sanctuary area and they live in a small groups of hutments called
nesses. The camels were used for travelling during the monsoons when the tracks
become muddy and inaccessible during the rainy season. There were around 300 maldharis
living in the forest earlier, but arround 240 something accepted the government
compensation and moved outside the forest. The rest still live inside the
forest but in harmony with the lions, even though the lions do feast on their
cattle whenever they find one that has strayed from the herd.
Next we spotted three Golden Jackal beside the track. They
were watching us like they want to hunt us and take down. They were looking
like dogs.
Next a Sambar deer family crossed the track from ahead our
vehicle. We observed them for a couple of minutes clicked pictures and then
went ahead. The guide, don’t remember his name so calling him as “Guide Bhai”
had an experience of 7 years in GIR and informed us that majority of the trees
in the forest were teak trees. He pointed out a Gum tree to us with its white
bark. The white bark is used as a cover for capsules.
Overall the GIR
safari had been fantastic. We went back to somnath, veraval. I was a bit
disappointed could not see leopard, and old king about 18-20 years of age with
full on fur on face.
To sum it up GIR the last home of ASIATIC LIONS is an
awesome destination for wildlife safari and I totally recommend it thoroughly
all wildlife enthusiasts. The SASAN village still retains its rustic charm and
is not yet commercialized. The Government is doing a fabulous job in conserving
the wildlife and we hope that they continue to do so. Cheers!!
