Gir forest reopens this week for visitors, online permits booked for 30 days

Junagadh, 14 October 2014

World famous Gir forest – the last abode of Asiatic lions will reopen for visitors from Wednesday, 16th of October after four month long isolation period of monsoon.

Each year, Gir forest is closed for visitors for four months period of monsoon to allow breeding.

According to Forest officer Dr. Sandipkumar, visitors have booked entry permits online in advance and permits for three months are already booked.

He said the forest department has increased the number of permit by 50% due to Diwali vacation. Against normal practice of 100 permits/day, the department will issue 150 permits/day. Daily online permits have been increased from 45 to 66.

Forest department will issue 90 permits during 16-23 October, and later during 23-1 period it will issue 150 permits.

While normally 10 buses takes visitors to Devalia safari park, forest department has decided to hire add 15 more buses due to Diwali.

Permitted route is around 30-45 km which takes about 3 hours time.