Gir forest write up -- through the eyes of the writer!

• From the writers’ Desk

Visit to the Asiatic Lion Sanctuary, Gir National Forest. 16th to 19th Feb .2017.

Our long awaited trip to see the Lord of the Jungle was finally realized, with a three day planned trip  from Rajkot and back, lodging at Maneland Jungle Resort, Sasangir, Gujarat was enjoyable mainly the time, season.

Three hourdrive from Rajkot airport, we could get a vista of the city in aurashtra, passing through a part of the erstwhile kingdom of the Nawab of Junagadh, and within an hour’s drive , we were in the majestic home of the King….Gir National Park.

Maneland Jungle Lodge, the name aptly describes a place away from Home, yet with all the comfort of home with a difference. Welcoming the guests, the staff and head of the team Ms. Uma Kumar made us feel comfortable, planned some activity or the other for each of the three days.

The entry to the guest house was away from the main road, and we had our apprehension as to how we could go and see the safari! The colorful lights hanging from tree tops, new and novel architecture made us think about how this place could be so comfortable.

There are several blocks with a total of 17 suites, each with a well-equipped room and attached bathroom.

What is more, each block is an architectural piece, all different, using local stones and other material. We learnt that when there was an earth quake in Gujarat, many years back, these buildings with stood the shock totally. The Architect, a lady, who designed the entire architecture in the beginning also met us and exchanged ideas for future development.  

Spread within a wide variety of flora, swings, and play area for children, walking towards the dining area has all been planned well.

Later, while serving us dinner, MS. Uma Kumar explained in brief, what is in store for the next three days. Our rooms, which we checked in, had the best view from the windows, overlooking the jungle to let the sun rays peep slowly.

We were told that sometimes the Lions come close by to have water, without harming the visitors and they are  quite safe! And the staff on night duty has seen them in the compound. 

  Gir forest today is the only place in the world outside Africa, where pride of Lions can be seen in its natural habitat.

The Gir lion is a majestic animal about 2.75 meters in length with bigger tail, tassel, bushier elbow tufts, akin to his African cousin, has a large mane.  It is light brown color, resting in the shade by day and roaming around after sunset, and hunting is usually done by Lioness. The Asiatic lion dwells in the GIR national parks, and these forests were set aside for the hunting by the Nawab of Junagadh.

Stories about hunting from the British time to the present!

"Lord Curzon made the Nawab and his people realize that the population of these Lions is decreasing and its importance in preserving this species from further decline. Thus,it makes Gir forest as one of the oldest protected areas in India".

Ready to sight the LIONS in their Habitat.

All set for a memorable experience on a morning of 17/02/2017

Stretching ourselves after dinner, we were told to be ready by 5.30 am, so that we can sight a few lions and lioness and the cubs, just before day break. Having made the e- booking permit for entering the park, we were ready to tour an area of 30-45 kms, to see the Lions in their habitat. we were escorted in Gypsy open jeeps , along with a forest guide and a trained driver.

The forest has a variety of deciduous forests, scrub jungles, evergreen and semi evergreen flora, grass lands, and rocky out crops intercepting a few water bodies through the park. Driving around the hilly terrain,    we stopped at the vast expanse of fresh water, kameleshwar reservoir, which supplies water the neighboring villages around Sasangir.

Now we watched the morning sun slowly coming up in the back drop of the Girmala hills, paused a while to see the sunrise. Having seen this splendid sunrise, we started driving through the rugged and hilly terrain, back to the flat land. “Lady Luck” smiled on us as we sighted the first lion, standing majestically, turning its head as if posing for us. Our guide directed our attention towards the animal and stopped the gypsy so close, that we could see and appreciate the animal in all its glory at close quarters.

A few kms drive we spotted the Deer, fawn and Nilgai (Blue bulls) moving around, looking for fodder. Our guide and driver narrated stories relating the fire control mechanisms, as the areas are dry, a speck of match stick can burn very fast and destroy the flora and fauna.

The trekkers, go at night and watch the movement, and in the wee hours trace their foot marks (Pug marks) and locate them. A vet makes his presence, when any of the lion or lioness needs attention. They watch their eating  quantity , the way they sleep during the day with stomach facing the sun for digestion(it was interesting to hear from them, they eat raw and freshly hunted prey, and for digestion it need 4 to 5 hrs. , so they lie with stomach facing upwards. One interesting anecdote about lions eating habits is they avoid seeking more prey, once they get their belly full food. (What a contrast to human being seeking snacks at odd hrs.)!

They move towards the water storage concrete basins and drink water. We were lucky to sight one such lion drinking water happily.

The Gir forest is home to other species of the feathered birds, night watchers, owls and leopards and peacocks.

After a three and half hour drive, with aching backs we returned to the Maneland lodge, recollecting all that we saw from dawn till day light. It was a wonderful experience to share.

After resting, we went again, this time in a closed bus, to drive around Devalia sanctuary, the difference being, some of those animals are kept in a natural setting, for rescue and recuperation if they succumbed to any injury or so.  For those that missed the morning drive to sight the Lord of the Jungle, here is another chance to sight a few!.

Few more facts shred by the forest guard during our gypsy ride. 

There were around 410 Asiatic lions as per last census, and more than 250 leopards and two species of deer are in abundance.

 The sambhar is the largest Indian deer; it’s about 150 cms at the shoulder, with large antlers spreading across. The Nilgai or Blue Bull also resides in the forests and is seen in more areas of the forest cover 

    

Day 2: Visit to Somnath Temple Moving from Picnic to pilgrimage   “Emotion to Devotion”

Getting ready in the morning, we drove 65 kms to reach the Jyothirling temple on the shores at Somnath.

It is the first among the 12 Jyotirlings of India and has a strategic location on the western coast of India. As history reveals the no of times it had been plundered for its rich wealth and rebuilt again and again during the 11^th and 12 the century A.D

The modern temple was reconstructed with the resolve and determination of Sardar Vallabhai Patel and Pran-pratishta of the temple was done by the then President of India .Dr. Rajendra Prasad on 11^th May 1951.

As you enter the temple and it precincts, the air is filled with an aura of devotion and faith that makes the pilgrims spend hours at the shores, admiring the waves, dash to and fro. There are edifice marked to show that no land mass is intercepted further south of the Arabian Sea till the South Pole!!

Day 3. Walking around  to the nearest village and a first hand info about the life of  the local residents.

Very few goto schools for fear of animals traeding the path at the early hours, lack of adequate facility for girl students, so the numbers are few.

help the local tourist as guides , in the local dialect.Guest House

 Day 4. Preparation for return trip, with a halt for few hrs at the Junagadh fort. We had breakfast, local cuisine of fafadi- , chutney made from raw papaya, hot jelebi and tea. Reaching the Girnar gate and the steps leading to the fort was just a few kms away.

We took a round of the fort and had a view of the mountain range of girmala hills. Pilgrims climb the 1000 odd steps to see the Devi temple enshrined during festival days.

The interiors of the fort reveal the splendor and glory of the Nawabs rule, which made their queens enjoy the beautiful scenery, having view of the hills around. The inter pillars display intricate carvings and have stood the vagaries of weather over time.

Coming down the fort, we can see the locals display their products from the forests. Some of the common spices are fresh with their fragrance, like the Hing, (Asafoetida), rock salt, Dalchini, bay leaves, Gum from the gum trees, (garam masala items) freshly procured are a treat to the eyes. All things should come to an end, so was our trip to Junagadh fort and its environs.

Buying few of those items, we drove to Rajkot airport, just in time to catch our flight to Mumbai. Exchanging our views about the short holiday, we reached home to see the pictures stored in our camera and cell phones, only to share with our friends and family.

Hope you enjoy the travelogue as much as I wrote it for you.