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INDIA - WEST ZONE

Gir National Park

Gujrat has splendid wildlife reserves that are quite out of the ordinary. The Gir National Park is where the last surviving population of the Asiatic lion is to be found and the Little Rann of Kutch, the home of the Indian wild ass.

Located in the South west of the Saurashtra Peninsula, the Gir National Park is a haven to about 300 Asiatic lions. The 1,412.14 sq km park has a rugged terrain and the steep rocky hillsides are recovered in mixed deciduous forests. There are teak, ber, flame of the forest and banyan trees. Streams run through the deep ravines.

The lions, a smaller more compact version of their African cousins, are best viewed at dawn or dusk when they are on the move. Gir has also nearly 210 leopards and numerous chital, nilgai, chinkara, the four horned antelope and wild boar. Marsh crocodiles are often seen along its rivers. The forest is rich in bird life and the paradise fly catcher, black headed cuckoo shrike, pied woodpecker, Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, painted sand grouse, bush quail and grey partridge are among the variety that is found here.

Three unusual reserves, the Nalsarover lake and sanctuary, where large numbers of water birds can be seen; the bare saline flats of the Rann of Kutch, incredibly the home of the Indian wild ass and the spectacular Flamingo island where nesting colonies of flamingoes are to be seen make Gujarat an exciting place for wildlife enthusiasts.

Ranthambhor National Park

Ranthambhor is said to have India’s friendliest tigers. Assured of protection, they have changed their nocturnal habits and are seen quite frequently during the day. Sprawled over the Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges, Ranthambhor primarily consists of dry deciduous forests dominated by dhok trees.

Ranthambore National Park is located near the township of Sawai Madhopur, in the state of Rajasthan. The forests around the Ranthambore fort were once, the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The desire to preserve the game in these forests for sport, was responsible for their conservation, and subsequent rescue by Project Tiger.