Sasan Gir: More than 75000 visitors have visited the tourist zone of Gir Sanctuary in Sasan and interpretation zone cum lion safari in nearby Devaliya during 13 days of Diwali and new year vacations this year, DCF Gir Mohan Ram informed today.

He said that the forest department has earned more than Rs one crore by issuing entry permits and tickets etc to them during this period.

The tourist zone of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, the only abode of Asiatic lions, had opened on October 16 after 4 months annual closure of Monsoon.

Notably, the famous Sinh Darshan (Lion safari) in the around 110 square kilometer area of the total 1412 sq km Gir National Park and Sanctuary more commonly known as the protected area of the Gir forest, the only abode of Asiatic lions situated in Saurashtra region of Gujarat, meant for tourist activities remains closed from June 16 to October 15 every year during monsoon.

It is closed as per the provisions of the wildlife act 1972 to provide safe environment to the Lions and other wild animals during their mating season in Monsoon period. Including the around 470 sq km of buffer zone the whole jungle in spread across 1882 sq km. During the closure period the forest department also conducts various operations in the national park including locating any stray new born cub and rescuing it.

In the tourist zone 4 more routes for lion sighting have been added taking the total number of routes to 12 from earlier 8. The tourist area taken in to the jungle in Gypsy from Sasan Gir. The number of permits have also been increased to more than double.
Gypsy vehicles have also been introduced for seeing lions in Devaliya interpretation zone where earlier only mini buses were used for the same. The lions sighting activity in Devaliya situated around 13 km from Sasan Gir is not closed during monsoon.

The five yearly Lion Census conducted last time in May 2015 had estimated the population of Asiatic lions at 523 (27% up compared to previous census in 2010). The population was 411 in 2010 and 359 in 2005. As per the 2015 census, the population of lions in Junagadh district was 268, Gir Somnath 44, Amreli District 174 (highest increase) and in adjoining Bhavangar District was 37. Of them there were 109 males, 201 females and 213 cubs.

During the closure period more 23 lions of one group had died in Dalkhaniya range of East Gir forests in Amreli district. This incident had also drawn the attention of wildlife lovers from across the world towards Gir.

DeshGujarat