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West India National Parks
To see other West Indian National Parks scroll down....
Gir National Park
It is the sole home of the pure Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica) and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species. The ecosystem of Gir, with its diverse flora and fauna, is protected as a result of the efforts of the Government forest department, wildlife activists and NGOs. The forest area of Gir and its lions were declared as "protected" in the early 1900s by the then Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh. This initiative assisted in the conservation of the lions whose population had plummeted to only 15 through slaughter for trophy hunting.
The April 2005 census recorded the lion-count in Gir at 359, an increase of 32 compared to 2001. The lion breeding programme covering the park and surrounding area has bred about 180 lions in captivity since its inception.
Now a days , Counting of Lion are starting and population may be go up to 450. That's very nice news for nature lovers like us.
Wildlife
The count of 2,375 distinct fauna species of Gir includes about 38 species of mammals, around 300 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles and more than 2,000 species of insects.
The carnivores group mainly comprises Asiatic lions, Indian Leopards, Jungle cat, Striped Hyenas, Golden Jackals, Indian Mongoose, Indian Palm Civets, and Ratels. Desert cats and Rusty-spotted cats exist but are rarely seen. The main herbivores of Gir are Chital, Nilgai (or Bluebull), Sambar, Four-horned Antelope, Chinkara and Wild boar. Blackbucks from the surrounding area are sometimes seen in the sanctuary.
Among the smaller mammals, Porcupine and Hare are common but the Pangolin is rare. The reptilians are represented by the mugger Marsh crocodile (highest population among all protected areas in India), the Indian Star Tortoise and the Monitor Lizard in the water areas of the sanctuary. Snakes are found in the bushes and forest. Pythons are sighted at times along the stream banks. Gir has been used by the Gujarat State Forest Department which adopted the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in 1977 and released close to 1000 Marsh crocodile reared in Gir rearing centre into the Kamaleshwar lake and other reservoirs and small water bodies in and around Gir.
The plentiful avifauna population has more than 300 species of birds, most of which are resident. The scavenger group of birds has 6 recorded species of Vultures. Some of the typical species of Gir include Crested Serpent Eagle, endangered Bonelli's Eagle, Crested Hawk-eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Great Horned Owl, Bush Quail (or Quailbush), Pygmy Woodpecker, Black-headed Oriole, Crested Treeswift and Indian Pitta. The Indian Grey Hornbill was not found in the last census of 2001.
The carnivores group mainly comprises Asiatic lions, Indian Leopards, Jungle cat, Striped Hyenas, Golden Jackals, Indian Mongoose, Indian Palm Civets, and Ratels. Desert cats and Rusty-spotted cats exist but are rarely seen. The main herbivores of Gir are Chital, Nilgai (or Bluebull), Sambar, Four-horned Antelope, Chinkara and Wild boar. Blackbucks from the surrounding area are sometimes seen in the sanctuary.
Among the smaller mammals, Porcupine and Hare are common but the Pangolin is rare. The reptilians are represented by the mugger Marsh crocodile (highest population among all protected areas in India), the Indian Star Tortoise and the Monitor Lizard in the water areas of the sanctuary. Snakes are found in the bushes and forest. Pythons are sighted at times along the stream banks. Gir has been used by the Gujarat State Forest Department which adopted the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in 1977 and released close to 1000 Marsh crocodile reared in Gir rearing centre into the Kamaleshwar lake and other reservoirs and small water bodies in and around Gir.
The plentiful avifauna population has more than 300 species of birds, most of which are resident. The scavenger group of birds has 6 recorded species of Vultures. Some of the typical species of Gir include Crested Serpent Eagle, endangered Bonelli's Eagle, Crested Hawk-eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Great Horned Owl, Bush Quail (or Quailbush), Pygmy Woodpecker, Black-headed Oriole, Crested Treeswift and Indian Pitta. The Indian Grey Hornbill was not found in the last census of 2001.
Best Time To Visit:
The park and the sanctuary remain close, from June to Sept, but the cool and dry weather between late-November and early-March is the recommended visiting period. During this period it is easier to sight the wildlife in the open.Look at below picture of Gir National Park
The nearest airport from Gir is Keshod 90-kms via Veraval. Visitors can easily catch daily flights from Mumbai to Keshod.
Nearest Airport:
The nearest airport from Gir is Keshod 90-kms via Veraval. Visitors can easily catch daily flights from Mumbai to Keshod. or you can take flight from Ahemdabad or Vadodara too.From these cities you can easily get transport to Gir.
The nearest rail connection is the meter gauge rail line of 395-kms from Ahemdabad.You can also take broad gauge at Junagadh
By Road
Gir is situated at a distance of 400-kms from Ahmedabad via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda. State Transport buses are easily available from Junagadh and Veraval to Gir, between November and June.
By Road
Gir is situated at a distance of 400-kms from Ahmedabad via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda. State Transport buses are easily available from Junagadh and Veraval to Gir, between November and June.
Dhakana - Kolkaz National Park
Park, Chikaldara [Maharashtra] Situated in the Vidharba region, this pretty little hill station offers an abundance of wildlife, viewpoints, lakes and waterfalls. In fact, the Dhakana - Kolkaz National Park is famous for its tigers. The Melghat Tiger Project is located here. What's more, the cool, breezy climate of Chikaldara makes it an excellent place to repose in summer. The Semadoh Forest Lodge is a comfortable place to stay .
General lnformation
Best time to visit : Summers
Best time to visit : Summers
Accommodation : MTDC Self contained rooms (10 Blocks) and Dormitory (1 Block for 50 tourists) is available. Semdoh Forest Lodge.
Checkout Time : 12.00 noon (MTDC) and 8.00 a.m. (privitised).
Reservation : Mumbai, Nagpur and Amravati.
Nearest Town : Nagpur 230 kms.
How to get there :
By Air :
Nearest airport is Nagpur.
By Rail :
Nearest railhead is Badnera.
By Road :
Mumbai - Chikaldara, 763 kms. Nagpur - Chikaldara, 230 kms. Amravati - Chikaldara, 100 kms.
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest and most famous national parks in western India. It is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 180 km from Jaipur, which is also the nearest airport. The nearest town and railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, about 11 km away. This beautiful Picture is taken at this National Park
Ranthambore National Park, famous for its Tigers in the Aravalli ranges is covered with deciduous forest. Its land scape is lapped by the Vindhyan hills and its lucent topography consists of limestones, sand stone rocks and perennial rocks. The Park was a hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur in earlier days and now a Project Tiger reserve to protect the much endangered Predator of the jungle. The Park is situated barely 14 kms from the town of Sawai Madhopur in the historically rich state of Rajasthan. It spread from gentle to narrow steeps with flat topped hills (Indala,Chiroli) of the Vindhyas to the flat valleys and rocky gordes. Granted the status of a National park in 1981, the Ranthambore National Park covers an area of nearly 400 sq.km..Right Side Picture shows the beauty of National Park.
Ranthambore actually consists of not one but three wildlife reserves namely the Ranthambore National Park, the Sawai Mansing Sanctuary and the Keladevi Sanctuary. Its royal past is glorified with the presence of the magnificent thousand year old "Ranthambore fort" in its vicinity.
Wild Life Attractions :
Fauna : Although, lately reports available show decline in the population of the Royal Bengal Tiger, yet it is the best place in India to see the wild cats in its pure habitat. Another predator that can be spotted easily in the higher vegetative marsh land is the leopard. There are also Jungle cats, Hyenas, Wild boars and different types of Deers (like the Sambhar deer, Chital Deer,Chinkara Deer), Langurs and Bluebulls. The silent tranquility of the lakes are sometimes disturbed by the Tigers in search of their prized possessions, the Crocodiles. The sight of a monitor lizard can be an amazing one as well.
Flora : The Main Flora includes Pipal ficus Religiousa, Vad, Amaltas Cassia fistula, Gurjan and Siris Saintha. The land scape is filled with Banyan tree, Dhok and Pipal tree. Also, cluster of trees of mangoes surround the park. The three biggest lakes are Padam Talab, Malik Talab and Rajbagh
Birds : The picturesque landscape of the park attracts a large varieties of the bird Species to the park. Nearly 270 species including the migratory species can be seen in the park. Some commonly seen species are Bonneli's Eagle, Quail, Fly Catcher, Great Indian horned Owl, Spoon Bills, Kingfisher, Geese and Ducks. But the most beautiful bird to be seen from the walls of the Fort is the Peacock dancing on the cliffs, with its feathers expanded to the fullest.
Park Trips :
Ranthambore Park is open to visitors between October and June but the best time is between December and April. After arriving in the Park there is an organised canter and jeep safaris twice a day for the animal lovers. Wild life viewing through "Jeep Safaries" and in open -trucks are as exciting as trekkings and visit to the nearby fort.
How to Reach :
By Air : Nearest airport is Jaipur, Ranthambore Park is at a distance of 130 kms from Jaipur.
By Rail : Nearest railway junction is in Sawai Madhopur. The park is at a distance of 11kms from Sawai Madhopur railway station on the Delhi- Mumbai trunk route.
By Road : A good network of buses connect Sawai Madhopur, the nearest town from Ranthambore to all the major cities in the state of Rajasthan.
RatanMahal Sloth Bear Sanctyary
[ Gujarat ] Spread out over 56 sq km, Ratanmahal-on the Gujarat-Madhya Pradesh border-is the only exclusive slothbear sanctuary in Gujarat. And sloth bears are just part of the attraction: nature fulfills herself in many other ways. The River Panam criss-crosses beautiful small hamlets on the foothills of this sanctuary; lush green and thick woods full of natural goodness. Kanjeta nestles at 230 metres above main sea level, offering a variety in terms of flora and fauna.
Sloth bears (57 as per the latest census), panthers (9), large-size monkeys (900), langoors (800), jackals (100), antelopes (four) and hyenas (8), besides others numerous jungle cats, foxes, honey badgers, hare, porcupines and reptiles. To believe the beauty of flora and birds (120 species) you got to visit this place. And if you want to be on the hilltop-about 8 km from Kanjeta-you can do that as well, with the permission of the authorities.
General lnformation :
Accommodation :
PWD rest house and other hotels and lodges at Baria.
How to get there :
About 47 kms from Piplod.
Sariska Naional Park (sanctuary)
The picturesque Siliserh Lake lies along the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve and a charming hunting lodge overlooking marvellous place for visitors to stay. The dry Herds of sambar, chital, nilgai,Rock Paython and sounders of wild boar - the prey population for predators like the tiger and leopard, roam the 765.80 sq. km. Reserve. Other carnivores include the hyena, jungle cat, and caracal. Interestingly enough, the dhole or wild dog has been sighted in the Park only in the last few years. The Park has hides carefully located near the water holes. These afford fine opportunities for viewing and photographing wildlife. Splendid ruins scattered in the vicinity of Sariska give it an added interest.
The Neelkanth temples (6th-l3th century AD) are just 32 km. from the Park and the historic Kankwari Fort inside the Reserve, is where the Emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh. A splendid palace complex built in 1902, with a 'French' pavilion and swimming pool, is now a hotel.
Best time to visit : October to June
Accommodation :
Tiger Den (RTDC); Hotel Lake Palace (RTDC), Siliserh; Sariska Palace Hotel (Heritage Hotel); Forest Rest House.
Nearest town : Alwar (21 km)
How to get there :
Rail-Alwar (21 km) Air-Jaipur (108 km)
