Spent a night atop the watchtower near the Kamleshwar dam
where the howl of the jackals signals the beginning of the
dark phase. The Chital's punctuate the silence of the night
with innumerable alarm calls. The water in the lake makes
rippling sounds, of crocodiles on the prowl. The first rays
of the sun are greeted with the deep roar of a male Lion
some distance away. Welcome to Gir, the natural treasure
of the state of Gujarat.
Gir exhibits great variation in topography, including flat,
gently undulating to hilly tracts; and elevation ranges
between 152m at Vasadhol to 530m above the sea level at
Nandivela hills.
The Gir forest area is extremely rugged and hilly. Slopes
are generally moderate, hills are of volcanic origin and
the soil varies from one area to another. While most of
the soil is generally black, the other types one may come
across will be red, yellowish, white clay and sandy. Each
soil type supports a different kind of plant life and hence
the wildlife too differs based on vegetation types.
Out of the three prominent seasons of summer, winter and
monsoon, the longest stretching is the summer, in which
the average minimum and maximum temperature ranges between
10ºC to nearly 45ºC. April and May are the hottest
months. The erratic monsoon is eagerly awaited, with its
active period between middle of June and September. The
maximum rainfall in the area is recorded around 1,866 mm
and the minimum recorded being 199mm.
The water always remains a critical factor in the well
being of the forest. At times the waterholes are required
to be replenished through water tankers from outside at
great expense. Around 350 of such waterholes are maintained
by the park staff.
River and Water Courses
Gir has seven main rivers. They are Datardi, Shingoda,
Macchundri, Saraswati, Raval, Ardak, and Hiran of which
only Hiran has perennial flow, the rest being seasonal.
Many of these seasonal streams have permanent waterholes,
called 'Ghunas' and 'Virdas', which provide precious water
to animals and birds. Gir also has four dams and that has
made possible to store water in large reservoirs.
Hiran River is the main lifeline of Western Gir. It originates
from Kansa hills of Gir, and flows close to Sasan, Dadhia,
Rajasthali, Gidadiya ness and close to Talala village. It
meets Sarasvati and Kapila rivers near Prabhas Patan to
reach the Arabian Sea. Sarasvati originates from Dipada-No-Dungar
in Gir to meet Hiran hillocks of Dhali Bakini Dungari near
Chanchai hills. It crosses Gir near Kardapan, Mandvi, Kodila,
Ghodavadi and near Una Navabundar and meets the Arabian
Sea.
Shingoda River originates from the Chasa hillocks and Kadi
Vadli hillocks and crosses Gir near Buntel, Chhodavadi,
Jamwala and Kansaria-No-Ness. It meets the Arabian Sea near
Kodinar. The Dataedi River passes close to the Jamwala ness
to meet at Jamwal, while the river Raval originates from
Dhundhia hills of Gir, goes to Una and near Manekpor, meets
the Arabian Sea.
Gir Vegetation
Vegetation in Gir can be looked at in four ways. The first
is the Teak forest and nearly half of the protected area
has this kind of a habitat. The main tree species that occupy
this habitat are Khair, Sadad, Timru, Babul, Amla, Moledi,
Dhavdo, Kadayo and Bahedo.
The non-Teak forests, which comprise the remaining forest
consists of tree species like the Khair, Dhavdo, Sadad,
Timru, Amla, Moledi, Kadayo, Salai, Simal, Khakhro, Ber
and Asundro.
A distinct belt of vegetation is found along the main rivers
and streams. Species like the Jambu, Karanj, Umro, Vad,
Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli are found here. These trees
are mostly broad leaved and evergreen, giving the area a
cool shade and the moisture content. Finally, Prosopis and
Casuarina have been planted in the coastal border as part
of the aforestation plan.
Modad, Kakad, Kalam, Garmalo, Limdo, Apto, Dudhlo, Siras,
and Dhraman are trees that form the top part of the forest.
The understory is formed by Mindhol, Bordi, Kanthar, Hingori,
Karamda and Antedi. Ground cover has herbaceous growth of
Desmodium, Tephrosia, Indigofera and Vernonia.
Grasses mostly include Bhagoru, Ratad, Zinjavo, Saniyar
and Kagadiyu. Important 'Lianas' (woody climbers) include
Khervelio Baval, and Malvelo. Around Gir there are some
grassland, locally known as 'Vidis'. Reserve Vidis have
better palatable grass species and are well protected.
The moist, shady riverine habitats show presence of more
evergreen type of trees like Kalam, Sajad, Karanj, Jambu,
Amli, Umbro, to name a few.
