Gir National Park to remain shut for four months from Sunday

The park is closed during this period every year as it is the breeding season for many animals, including the big cats, said Rajiv Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary of Environment and Forest Department of Gujarat government.

By: PTI

Vadodara | June 15, 2019 07:18 PM IST

2 min read

Three Asiatic lions mowed down by goods train in Amreli

A huge increase of lion population in the protected Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas was declared by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, on Sunday, in Junagadh. The CM declared the number of the endangered animal as 523; 27 per cent increase comparing the last census in 2010 when the Lion population was estimated to be 411. Express Photo Javed Raja. 10.05.2015.

The Gir National Park, which is home to over 520 Asiatic lions, will remain shut for tourists, both domestic and foreigners, from June 16 to October 15, an official said Saturday. The park is closed during this period every year as it is the breeding season for many animals, including the big cats, said Rajiv Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary of Environment and Forest Department of Gujarat government.

“Four months of monsoon are considered the best season for the breeding,” he said.

The Gir sanctuary, located at Sasan in Junagadh district, is the only home for the Asiatic lions and attracts a large number of tourists from India and abroad.

“During the monsoon, the condition of roads inside the forest area also deteriorates and it becomes unsafe for visitors to travel on such roads,” he said.

Besides, the forest department also undertakes maintenance work of the national park in September as peak tourist season starts from November and continues till March end, the official said.

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