Gir Forest National Park Gujarat

Gir Forest National Park Gujarat

Day 5

9^th March 2013

We arrived at The Gir National Park in the evening after taking a wrong turn for 15-20 km. Our driver Farid quickly realized the mistake and got us back on track. We checked into the ‘Amidhara Resort’, a really clean and natty place. The services were there excellent. The vegan food spread was admirable for the Indian palate though the oil was a little too much. It’s a total Vegetarian joint. If anyone heading this way needs a clean, spacious and above-budget, the resort can give it a go

Click on the link for more information. Amidhara Resort

A note of caution.

If you are planning a trip to Gir, try to book your permit well in advance or you will probably face the same predicament that we went through. Our driver went to the Sinh Sadan Orientation Centre at 4:30 a.m. to get our permit for the 6:30 a.m. trip, but it was already booked. So, we had to take the safari at 9.30 am instead. Lion sighting was no issue for us chaps we were there mainly for birding. We did get to see lions, but our chief aim was to see how many species of birds we could rope in. We did two safaris and as luck should have it the bloody computer generated the same route we had traversed earlier.

If you are planning a trip try and avoid the weekends and peak season festivals as you would probably see more homo sapiens than wild animals.

Appreciate the snaps I have compiled of our two safaris of the forest.

Ibis

Footpath Sinh Sadan Orientation Centre,

Spotted Owl

Wire tailed Swallow

Ibis

Wire Tailed Swallow

Eagle

Picture of Innocence

Forest Road Route 6

Pelican

Was flying overhead

Lion in Gir Paradise

Shepherd's earrings sign  of Prosperity

Long-billed Pipit

Another angle

No introduction

Dwelling in the Gir Forest

Samba

Changeable Eagle

Koel

Shikra?

?

Lion

Deer

Sentry Sinh Sadan Orientation Centre,

Samba

Eagle

Snoozing

Rail through the sanctuary

Tea stall

Stag

Sunrise Gir

Cuckoo?

Koel

Crested Eagle

Eagle

Aavjo!! Hope to see you next season

My jaunt around Abu these last few days

The heat has been really oppressive this last fortnight and I could not make up my mind to brave the direct scorching heat of the summer sun. I did venture out after 6 pm. I wanted to see how the water holes were fairing this summer, the situation is grim , all water bodies that serve as watering spots for the animals have run bone dry ,there is just enough water in one or two spots to last for may be another 10 days. The pictures I’m posting will give you an idea of what the bleak future for the wild animals will be in another few weeks if the monsoons are delayed.

The water level at the Trevor Tank in the heart of the sanctuary is only 50%

Another few days to go before the Dhoondai stream runs dry

The Minni Nakki lake bone dry

The lake on the way to Achalgarh Bone dry

The minni Nakki Lake "Some Lake"

The Jawai Catchement area on the way to Guru shaker

Another few days to go and a village with depleated water supply

The Nakki lake a sight for sore eyes

A lake with all its ribs exposed

Tankers waiting in line at Oria

Another lot at another fuitful water well Oria