Gir National Park | 02 Mar 2020

• The Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat.
• The Gir Forests is the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions.
  
  • It was declared as a sanctuary in 1965 and a national park in 1975.
• The Gir Forests is the largest compact tract of dry deciduous forests in the semi-arid western part of India.
• The Gir Forests forms a unique habitat for many mammals, reptiles, birds and insect species along with a rich variety of flora.
• Gir is often linked with "Maldharis" who have survived through the ages by having symbiotic relationship with the lion.
  
  • Maldharis are religious pastoral communities living in Gir. Their settlements are called "nesses".
• Other National Parks in Gujarat
  
  • Black buck National Park
  • Vansda National park
  • Marine National Park

Asiatic Lion

• Scientific Name: Panthera leo persica
• Habitat: Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
• Threats
  
  • They are vulnerable to disease, encroachment, forest fire, natural calamities, grazing, collection of fuelwood, Non-timber forest produce (NTFP), poaching, tourism, religious pilgrimage and accidental lion deaths due to human causes.
    
    • In 2018, Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) was responsible for the death of more than 25 Lions in the Gir forest of Gujarat.
  • Also, there have been indications of poaching incidents in recent years.
• Protection Status
  
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I

Source: TH