History of Gir National Park

What if there were no more wild Asiatic lions? This almost became a reality. The case of the last wild Asiatic lions is a problem of the past and thankfully not a problem in the present. The reason is Gir National Park, located in the state of Gujarat in India. This park saved an entire species from complete extinction. This case helped create one of the most influential conservation stories in the world. The History of Gir National Park is an example of how important and influential history can be. It is a story of bravery and how important the commitment to protecting nature is.

The History and the Dark Beginning — The Lions on the Verge of Extinction

Asiatic lions used to roam freely across the Indian subcontinent, Persia, and parts of Europe. Then the 1800s brought change. The population of lions was heavily affected when the British settlers and Indian rulers imported their idea of big game hunting to the region. Asiatic lions almost went extinct, and by the early 1900s, there were only 12 remaining in India, and they were all in Gir. The first part of Gir National Park’s history dates back to the early 1900s. Trophy hunting had brought the lion population down to only 15. It was a crisis that demanded immediate action.

1913 — The First Formal Protection

1913 was a huge milestone for Asiatic lion preservation. The Gir Forest Reserve was created to protect the last remaining Asiatic lions. At this point, there were an estimated 20 Asiatic lions left in the wild. Without the creation of this reserve, the Asiatic lion story would have ended there. This was the first step in the following years of preservation of the wildlife and forests of Gir for future generations.

Key Milestones in the History of Gir National Park

● Early 1800s: Lyons dwelled throughout India
● Late 1800s: Trophy hunting decimated the population to 15
● 1899 - 1901: Great drought leads to lions preying on livestock. The Nawab intervenes.
● 1913: The Gir Forest Reserve was established to protect lions.
● 1965: The Indian Government declared Gir a Wildlife Sanctuary.
● 1975: The core area of the sanctuary, 258 sq. km., became a National Park.
● 1977: The Indian Crocodile Conservation Project was established in Gir.
● 2020: The census reported that the lion population was 674.

1965 & 1975: The Birth of a Gir National Park

After India achieved independence, the Indian Government began to take wildlife and forest preservation seriously. In 1965, the area was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary. In 1975, 258 sq. km. of the area became Gir National Park. The establishment of the National Park has allowed the lion population to prosper.
Additionally, around the mid-1960s, lion hunting was prohibited throughout India, and only photo safaris could take place in the park. Once this legislation was enacted, the park finally received the forest protection it required.

The Conservation Success — A Population That Grew Against All Odds

The results are astounding. The number of lions grew from 411 in 2010 to 674 in 2020. In 1900, the population was estimated to be as low as 100. A Lion Breeding Program was established to create and sustain breeding centers. One center, located in Sakkarbaug Zoo, has bred about 180 lions. In 1977, about 1,000 marsh crocodiles from the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project were introduced to Gir by the State of Gujarat. The history of Gir National Park is the wildlife recovery story of India.

What Gir Protects Today

Gir is home to much more wildlife than just lions. The amazing forest has the following wildlife:
● The last wild population of 674 Asiatic lions
● More than 300 avian species
● 38 mammal species, including leopards and hyenas
● 37 reptile species, including marsh crocodiles
● Over 507 species of plants
● The Maldhari communities, the traditional pastoral settlers of the park

Threats That Still Exist Today

There are still obstacles to overcome. Drought, cyclones, and forest fires are some of the more natural challenges. More concerning, human-induced problems include overgrazing, illegal land use, increased vehicular activity, and a proliferation of weeds.
Also, illegal poaching and poisonous retaliatory targeting by farmers still pose a threat, but awareness campaigns have made a positive impact. Additionally, many NGOs and the government continue to work every day to protect the ecosystem.

Why is the History of Gir National Park Important?

When people aim to safeguard nature, it teaches us this significant truth: nature has the ability to rejuvenate and flourish. Also, Gir demonstrates that the efforts of the people to save all components of nature (including the birds, reptiles, the flora and fauna, and the people) are successful. So, every visit to Gir is not just a safari; it is, in itself, a testimony to the commitment and love of all the wild.