Gir Forest National Park

Gir Forest National Park (also known as Sasan Gir) in Gujarat was established in 1965 and covers an area of 1412 sq km. It is the last remaining habitat of the Asiatic lion whose distribution used to extend through Persia to Arabia. Wild lions dropped to around 15 in the early 1900’s when they became a protected species. The census in 2005 recorded 52 and the last census in April 2010 recorded 411. This makes this park one of the most important protected places in Asia. Sasan Gir also has the highest population of leopards of any park in India – making it one of the best places to see big cats.