The Role of Gir National Park in Protecting Asiatic Lions

Sasan Gir is home to one of only two Asiatic Lion populations outside Africa, making this sanctuary an historic example of conservation success.

Gir’s wildlife thrives despite its small size. Unfortunately, its restricted ecosystem limits growth potential and creates an ongoing challenge to its survival.

Habitat Management

Gir National Park features an assortment of vegetation types, from deciduous forests and evergreen trees, through savannah-type grasslands, thorny scrub, water plants and open zones of mixed forest; as well as being home to an impressive population of sand dunes and coastal habitats.

Asiatic Lions at Gir are especially vulnerable to diseases, forest fires and hunting; additionally they may also be killed by electric fences set up by farmers to protect their livestock.

In 2015, a National Park census recorded 523 lions living there. Additionally, this park is home to many species of mammal such as sloth bear, striped hyena, golden jackal, wild boar and the world-first four-horned antelope called Chinkara (or four-horned antelope). Furthermore, birdwatching enthusiasts will love this amazing destination with many migrating birds arriving every spring; also meet Maldharis tribe who cohabitate alongside these incredible giants – truly an unforgettable experience!

Education

Gir National Park is one of the few remaining places where lions still roam freely, providing visitors an unforgettable experience and witnessing many species such as leopard, chausingha, chital, nilgai, wild boar and four-horned antelope in their natural environments.

The Gujarat Forest Department hosts nature camps for students from local schools within the Gir landscape, teaching them about wildlife conservation. Students also have an opportunity to interact with nature interpreters during field excursions. Furthermore, eight facilities treat sick or injured lions found throughout Gir landscape by members of the public or wildlife managers.

Gir Protected Area’s (PA) limited lion population poses several obstacles. Genetic inbreeding, livestock densities that pose dangers to wild ungulates and the growth of unappetizing vegetation around lion sites pose threats to their existence; relocation would help maintain a healthier genetic diversity while helping prevent future extinction of this species.

Research

Sasan Gir is an exceptional place for wildlife enthusiasts. As home to Asiatic Lions in their natural environment, as well as other top carnivores such as tigers, wolves, leopards and marsh crocodiles.

Radio-collared lions have demonstrated expansive home ranges across an expansive landscape, in accordance with the Resource Dispersion Hypothesis1.

These satellite habitats comprise areas with diverse terrain and vegetation, including riverine, arid, and coastal ecosystems. An active distribution of lions across the landscape can play an essential role in conserving these endangered animals by supporting a healthy and diverse native carnivore population. Lion populations outside Gir PA may provide an invaluable defense against reintroduction challenges, since densities in its core can easily exceed prey availability limits. Livestock densities above an acceptable threshold can have negative consequences on both native vegetation communities and ungulates (Dave and Jhala, 2011). As such, creating more inviolate space within the Gir ecosystem would benefit both lions and indigenous plant communities alike.

Community Engagement

Gir National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife species such as sloth bears, striped hyenas, golden jackals and the world-exclusive four-horned antelope (chousingha). Additionally there are several reptiles such as Indian cobras, common kraits and Russell’s vipers which reside here.

Asiatic lions once roamed from Persia to India, yet today only reside within the Gir-Saurashtra landscape, sharing space with humans across their habitat. This unique situation highlights some of the major conservation challenges posed by heavily-impacted agropastoral areas such as Gir-Saurashtra.

In Saurashtra landscape, lions live with their families in prides, rarely being seen alone. Preying primarily on wild-prey such as chital deer, sambar deer and nilgai but also livestock such as cattle and domestic water buffalo for sustenance. Monetary compensation for livestock depredation as well as legal protection and profit from lion-related businesses all help build tolerance towards them in society.

Gir boasts an abundance of vegetation. This includes evergreen and deciduous forests, thorny scrub, water plants, open scrub, open savannah types and teak covers an ample portion of its forests; other trees include samai, simal, neem jamun and acacia trees.