Wildlife & Gir Forest
Gujarat GK · वन्यजीव और गिर वन · 18 facts
Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Saurashtra, Gujarat, is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) in the world.
As per the 2020 census, the Asiatic Lion population reached 674 — the highest ever recorded — showing successful conservation in Gir.
Project Lion was launched by the Government of India to protect and increase the Asiatic Lion population, inspired by the success of Project Tiger.
Velavadar Blackbuck National Park in Bhavnagar district is home to one of the densest populations of blackbucks in India.
Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch (established 1982) was India's first marine national park, protecting coral reefs and rare marine life.
Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch is the only sanctuary for the Indian Wild Ass (Ghudkhur), a Schedule I protected species.
The Rann of Kutch and the surrounding wetlands host hundreds of thousands of lesser and greater flamingos, making it one of the world's largest flamingo habitats.
Hingolgadh Nature Education Reserve in Rajkot district is an important protected area for wolves, hyenas, Indian foxes, and raptors.
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat, hosts over 250 species of birds, especially during winter migration.
Gujarat's coastline provides nesting grounds for Olive Ridley and Green Sea Turtles; Nesting sites are found near Surat and on Piram Island.
Gir NP covers 1,412 sq km (core) with a total area including sanctuary of 1,874 sq km; it also has leopards, hyenas, sloth bears, and crocodiles.
The Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii), known as Sanda, is found in Kutch and is a species of conservation concern in Gujarat.
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary near Porbandar, Gujarat, is a potential second home for the Asiatic Lion as identified under Project Lion.
The Indian Pangolin, an endangered anteater-like mammal, is found in forests of eastern Gujarat and is one of the most trafficked animals in the world.
Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary in Panchmahal district of Gujarat protects a transitional forest ecosystem with leopards, hyenas, and deer.
Gujarat has 4 national parks and over 21 wildlife sanctuaries, reflecting the state's diversity of ecosystems from marine to arid desert habitats.
The Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary near Jamnagar was designated a Ramsar wetland site in 2021, recognized for its international importance to migratory birds.
Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur) in the Little Rann of Kutch is found only in India; the population has grown from 362 in 1960 to over 6,000 today.