About the Sasangir :
India has the distinction of being the last earthly refuge of the Asiatic lion. In the paisley-shaped Kathiwad peninsula of Gujarat stands the Gir National Park and Lion Sanctuary, the one and only remaining habitat of this proud and majestic species (Panthera leo). Sasangir Lion Sanctuary is home of some 300 Asiatic lions. Close to being an extinct species, the number of Asiatic lions has been steadily rising since 1980 in this safe haven. The vegetation in the area consists of teak with a mixture of deciduous trees, including sal (Shorea), dhak (Butea frondosa), and thorn forests. The terrain is rugged with steep rocky hillsides. A few springs also exist, but their flow is rather eccentric depending upon the season. Some sixty thousand tourists visited Sasangir National Park in 1999-2000. The park is a part of the Junagadh circuit of Gujarat, which includes Junagadh, Sasangir, and Somnath.
Jeep safari is the most common occupation that one engages in after reaching the park. Wildlife photography can be another option and machans (watchtowers) and hides have been raised near waterholes to have a closer look of the lions. One can also visit other places in the vicinity like Junagadh and Somnath famous for their history and religious importance.
Famous world over as the only refuge of the majestic Asiatic lion (Panthera leo), the National Park or the lion sanctuary makes a must visit for the nature lovers. The Asiatic lion measuring 2.75 meters in length and with a bigger tail tassel, bushier elbow tufts and more belly folds than his African cousin is a main attraction of this place. Besides the king of the jungle, Sasangir is also a natural habitat of some of the exotic flora and fauna of this peninsular region. Moreover, it also has some of the important reservoirs like the Nalsarovar lake that provide the much needed moisture to the flora and drinking water to the native animals. Sasangir also has some of the dry deciduous and tropical thorn forest and an evergreen corridor along the riversides. Among the common variety of trees you can find here are the teak, laburnum, acacia tendu, ber, jamun, amlosa, and bael. The crocodile farm developed in the forest is also one of the main attractions of the place. The sanctuary is open to visitors from mid October to mid June.
Tourist Attractions In Sasangir :
Sasangir is the Asiatic Lions. It is only here outside Africa, where Asiatic lions are spotted. An approximate population of 300 lions inhabit in the National Park, which is also a lion sanctuary.
Apart from the lions, commonly spotted animals include: wild boar, common langur, chinkara, striped hyena, jackal, porcupine, hare, black buck, chital, leopard, gazelle, nilgai, wild ass, spotted deer and the four-horned antelope. Marsh Crocodile can be spotted easily in lake of the Kamaleshwar dam.
How to reach Sasangir
by Air: The nearest airport is Rajkot (160 Km), which is connected to many Indian cities by regular flights operated by several airlines.
by Road: A convenient road network connects Sasangir to important cities in Gujarat and western India. Cities like Dwarka (317 Kms), Junagadh (54 Kms), Rajkot (160 Kms), Mount Abu (567 Kms), Mumbai (802 Kms) are well connected by road from Sasangir.
by Rail: Sasan is a railway station on the meter guage line. However, the convenient railhead is Junagadh (54 Km).
