Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Junagadh News – About Girnar Mountain Parvat

Mount Girnar(Junagadh - Saurastra) to go Wi-Fi soon.

The pilgrim's progress on Gujarat's tallest mountain is set to be Wi-Fi-enabled. So, the next time you climb mount Girnar, you may carry your laptop to keep a tab on work as well.

"It's not viable to lay a cable network on the mountain. So we plan to install Wi-Fi system around the walking track on the mountain," said district collector Ashwani Kumar. While he refused to reveal the project cost, Kumar said the administration was in talks with a few companies and final decision will be taken soon'.

Over 25 lakh tourists throng about 30 temples, including famous Ambaji Mandir and Jain Derasar, dotting the seven peaks of the 1100-metre tall mountain.

The decision to make the mountain Wi-Fi enabled was taken to webcast the 25th Girnar Mount Climbing Competition which is slated for next month.

"We wanted to take the event to a wider audience through webcast. Though we decided to install Wi-Fi for webcasting the competition, we will continue the use the technology even after the competition," he said.

An average of 1,000 contestants participate in the event. This time around about 1,800 participants will join the event.

"Girnar Climbing Competition started in 1971 and continued up to 1979. Again efforts were made to rejuvenate the competition in 1991 by State Bank of Saurashtra.

But the event has been regularly organized since 1996 in both men and women category after the state government took over," said Devashi Ambalia, project director of the event.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Junagadh News - Girnar Mountaineering Competition 2010

A total of 1,795 entries have been received from 16 districts across the state for the State-Level Girnar Mountaineering Competition to be held on January 4 next year.

It is to be followed by the national-level Girnar Mountaineering Competition on February 1.

The competition, which is organized every year by the state’s Youth, Sports and Cultural department, has support of the Junagadh(Saurastra) district administration, which is now pooling in its resources to remove the last-minute glitches, if any.

Out of a total 1,795 entries received so far, majority have come in from Junagadh (1,365), followed by Rajkot (161), Jamnagar (81), Amreli (67), Porbandar (28), Gandhinagar (24), Kutch (16), Surendranagar and Dahod (14 each), Valsad (9), Sabarkantha (6), Panchmahals (5), Bhavnagar (2), and one entry each from Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Kheda districts.

Dev Kumar Aambaliya, coordinator of the competition and deputy mamalatdar with the state Revenue department, said: “Out of the total entries received so far, 1,448 are under the men’s category, and the remaining 347 in the women’s category.”

He also said that a record of 55.33 minutes had been established in the men’s group in last year’s competition, which involved a total of 4,862 steps.

The women’s group on the other hand had set a record of 35.15 minutes last year in which they had to take a total of 2,200 steps.

“We are trying for a live telecast and have also conducted a survey in this regard. The competition is mainly aimed at providing thrill and adventure to the youth along with giving them a national-level exposure,” he added.

Aambaliya further said that the Girnar Mount Climbing Competition is unique in its own way with no such competition being organised anywhere else across the country.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Bahauddin College Junagadh City News 2011

If society has hardly lauded the work of, there is one book with inspiring anecdotes like these that salutes their role in bringing about social change.

In a painstaking effort, Shikshan na Sitara,' brings out the greatness of teachers and restores our respect for them.

A lecturer in a college in Dwarka, Ishwar Parmar, has written about 65 outstanding teachers. The book charts their relation with students and commitment to education.


There are awe-inspiring stories, like that of Bhupat Parmar, who as a kid, travelled in trains, singing bhajans for a living. It was during one such journey that a lady asked him if he wanted to study and gave him her address.

Bhupat met her a year later and the experience changed his life. She ensured he got proper education. And he is a lecturer in a government college today. The unknown lady turned out to be Pratima Bhatt, a professor in Bahauddin College in Junagadh(Saurastra).

"These teachers are true stars. For them, the focus always remained their students. This is aimed at inspiring others," says Ishwar Parmar. At 67, Parmar is planning a sequel. "I will profile 40 more teachers in this book," he says.

When Trambakbhai Mankodi did not like the system in the government school he taught in, he quit. But, the teacher in him fought on. He began teaching children in his village Khambhalia for free.He also set up a big library and made education his mission.

Purshottam Mavlankar, considered Gujarat's Harold Laski, always insisted that students should stand up and greet whenever a teacher walked into a class.But once, when he was travelling in a bus and a student offered him his seat, he did not accept. "I am not your principal here," he said. "I am a co-passenger."

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Junagadh News - Gujarat women volley ball team wins gold

The Gujarat women volley ball team has won gold medal in all India School Level Volley Ball competition.The event was held at Jhansi in UP and 23 teams had participated.

The girls from Sarakhadi-Junagadh and Charada-Gandhinagar played well. While remarkable performance of Varsha Vala, Geeta Vala and Asmita helped the team win gold medal.

The 54th All India school level competition was organized by the School Games Federation of India from 11 to 15 December.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Sakkarbaug Zoo Junagadh City News Gujarat India

Turning to science in a long-term conservation plan of endangered Asiatic Lions, an exclusive gene pool of the species will be set up with blood and DNA samples to maintain their genetic diversity.

The measure taken up by the Gujarat government is aimed at protecting the diverse gene pool of the last surviving Asiatic Lions — just 359 as per the last census in 2005 — which faces threat from poaching and deadly diseases,affecting its population in the lone habitat of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.

The forest department would set up four gene pools at four different places around the sanctuary, Forest Conservator Mayank Sharma told PTI. Blood and DNA samples, semen and live tissue specimens of large number of lions will be preserved at these units.

"We have identified four different places, where we will build full-fledged gene pools as a part of a long term conservation plan," Sharma said.

These units would come up at Rampara and Umath in Rajkot district, Shakkarbaug in Junagadh and Barda in Porbandar.The purpose of the project is to maintain genetic diversity of the lions, he said.

The wildlife department plans to keep six to eight breeding pairs of lions in each of these gene pool, Sharma said, adding that they would be kept in captivity in huge enclosures built at each of the four identified centres.

"Each gene pool will be built at a cost of Rs 1.50 crore," Sharma said.

"We will prepare genetic profiling of each lion present in the gene pool, conduct DNA fingerprinting on them, take their tissue and sperm samples and preserve them in cold storage."

The project also plans to build a laboratory at Sakkarbaug in Junagadh for storing live tissue materials.

"We plan to keep the gene pool for the next 50 years. New techniques would have been developed for conservation of wild animals by then," the forest conservator said.

The building of enclosure has been completed at Rampara near Vankaner town in Rajkot district and lions will be introduced there by 2009-2010.Construction of enclosure is underway at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Porbandar district.

"Enclosures will be bigger than those in Zoos. People will not be allowed there," Sharma added.

We will not pick up lions from Gir and introduce them to gene pools. Lions straying out of the sanctuary and the injured ones after rehabilitation would be shifted to gene pools," he added.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Girnar Mountains Junagadh City News Gujarat India 2011

Junagadh Chamber seeks clarification on Girnar status.

The Junagadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry has written a letter to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and sought clarification over various issues in the wake of the confusion following the declaration of the Girnar forest as a sanctuary.

Bhurabahi Desai, the Secretary of the Chamber has sought clarification whether the Girnar region should be considered as a pilgrimage center or a sanctuary.

Girnar is controlled by two different authorities, the forest department and the state yatradham(pilgrimage) development board, he said.

Desai has sought clarification on issues like whether night halt in Girnar will henceforth be stopped, as also the fate of the Girnar ropeway project and the capable authority for giving construction permit in the revenue survey area and other areas falling at the foot of the Girnar Mountains.

He has also sought a query as to how the sanctuary status will affect issues related to faith, particularly the two big melas and various religious events taking place in the area round the year.“There is much confusion prevailing over some issues which should be clarified in the larger public interest,” he said.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Junagadh News - One Friendly Snake Wrangler

Mangarol Junagadh Saurastra has its friendly neighbourhood snake wrangler.

Parvin Parmar is a busy man. A driver by profession, this 35-year-old man from Mangarol in Junagadh district has an alternate identity as well.

He is a snake wrangler.

Parmar regularly receives numerous phone calls to catch snakes. This he does wilfully, as a voluntary service to the people in and around Mangarol.

He also claims to have caught over 10,000 snakes over a period of two decades.

Every day, he catches over 15 snakes from different locations and releases them at safer places, unhurt.

“A fortnight ago, I had captured a nine-foot long python from a village falling under Maliya taluka, and released it in the Gir forest,” Parmar said, adding that he has been fortunate enough not to be bitten by any snake until now.

During the cultivation and harvest seasons, Parmar attends as many as 20-25 calls daily. People in Mangarol know him as a snake expert. Now, his name has reached as far as Porbandar and Keshod. Yet, he has been offering his services without any fees.

“I never charge any money, but people pay me anything between Rs 100 and Rs 200 as compensation for conveyance.It has turned into a hobby.I just want humans and animals to be safe.

Even my family, including my two-year-old daughter,Riddhi, has become familiar with snakes,” Parmar said.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Junagadh News-Sakkar Baug Zoo Museum

Sakkar Baug museum gets new home at Taj Manzil.

Department of Museums contemplates installing tight security system at the palace.

The Sakkar Baug Zoo museum – located in the heart of the Junagadh City Zoo – will be shifted to the Taj Manzil palace.

Though the specific reason for the shift is not known, it is speculated that as the visitors to the museum had to pay fee even for zoo, it kept them away.

The new location of the museum is spacious and will also help the department to display the two centuries-old nawabi treasure more effectively.

“Earlier, the museum was located in an 11,000-square-foot area, whereas in the Taj Manzil, the display area is as big as 22,000 square feet. And the palace, with its ivory flooring, furniture and staircases, is itself a museum,” said S N Pandey, Director of the State Department of Museums.

In addition to shifting the artefacts from the Sakkar Baug museum, the nawabi treasure from 17th to 19th century will be kept on display.

“The treasure and belongings of all the nine nawabs of Junagadh(Saurastra) have been kept with the Junagadh collector. All these things will be displayed in the museum in various categories,” said Pandey.

“The collection of Rs 10 and Rs 2 as fee from the visitors of the zoo and the museum does not matter. But this new place will certainly get more tourists as it is centrally located and it can be accessed more easily,” said Pandey.

Taj Manzil was earlier occupied by the Junagadh Ayurvedic College before it shifted to Ahmedabad. The Department of Museums is in the process of signing an MoU with a Delhi-based company to install heavy security system in the museum.

“The display of such priceless artifact calls for heavy security. We will be incorporating the latest security measures, including bullet-proof showcases, alarm system, and cameras,” said Pandey.

Sources said the old Sakkar Baug museum will be converted into a conservation lab for museum artefacts.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Girnar Lili Parikrama Junagadh City Gujarat India

Girnar Lili Parikrama will start from November 9 & will finish at 13 November.

Around one million Hindus will participate in Girnar’s anual Lili Parikrama(Green pradakshina or circumambulation).

The 36-km parikrama will start from 9th of November and end on 13th. According to Gujarati Hindu calendar Parikrama starts from Kartik 11 to 15 every year.

Girnar (Junagadh- Saurastra) the tallest mountain of Gujarat is 6 km. from Junagadh City.

On an average, about 7 lakh devotees attend the function but as Gir forest has a lush green look after good monsoon this year, it may attract one million devotees.

In year 2003 Parikrama had attracted 1.2 million devotees.

According to popular belief, after winning the war at Kurukshetra, Pandavas had done the parikarma to seek God’s blessings.

As the stretch of the Parikrama passes through the forest, it is an adventurous trip for the youngsters. After the rainfall, the ponds and rivers are full of water adding to the scenic beauty of the forest and hills, so this year many more youngsters will participate in the Parikrama. Youngsters see it as solving a dual purpose. They complete a ritual as they enjoy the beauty of Gir forest.

Necessary arrangements have been made by Junagadh District Collectorate, police, forest department, health and water supplies department and other voluntary organisations to ensure smooth celebrations of the five-day Girnar Parikrama.

The Parikrama will commence from Girnar Taleti, night halt at Jinabava Madhi, and MarvellaBordevi and return to the starting point on the fifth day.

The forest department has put a ban on plastic bags and gutkha. Anyone found violating the ban will be fined, said forest department officials.Many voluntary organisations have also come forward to ensure uninterrupted water and food supply at regular intervals.

Medical camps have also been arranged by the health department at various points.

The forest department has finished patching up roads on the 36-km stretch. Some 7 km (1/5 of the total route) of the parikrama route is more or less damaged due to heavy rains in late monsoon this year. The ground has been leveled and cactus and other wild plants have been removed from the roads.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Mangrol Port - Junagadh Saurashtra District News 2011

Mangrol Port (Junagadh), November 2 - A septuagenarian has been running coaching classes at Mangrol Port in Junagadh(Saurashtra) district that have no admission hassles, no donation and no fees either.

Everyone in this port town in Saurashtra knows Muljibhai Gosiya (71).

For the last 40 years, Muljibhai has been single-handedly educating students from kindergarten to Class IX after school hours.

He had himself studied only up to the Class VII, yet some of his former students are now doctors, merchants and community leaders.

He holds free coaching classes everyday, even on Sunday and never keeps a single holiday throughout the year.

Muljibhai belongs to the fishermen community and has a family of seven.

He is physically challenged and has to work as a painter or laborer to make both ends meet.

Nevertheless, he runs coaching classes at his house at Sadhana Society on the outskirts of Mangrol town.

He runs two batches — one from 8 am to 10 am and an other from 5 pm to 6 pm — in which around 70 students, mostly from the fishermen community are enrolled.

“Educating poor students has always been my first priority; coaching is my hobby. There is no holiday even on New Year or Diwali.

There is no Sunday or a weekly off,” he said.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Junagadh Festivals - turns into a tourist hotspot during season

Junagadh(Saurastra) has become a hotspot for tourists during the holiday season.

In the last five days, thousands of tourists from across the state have visited famous tourist sites here, particularly the Somnath Temple, Gir Forests, Girnar Mountains, holiday camp sites at Chorwad and Madhavpur beaches and the Sakkarbaug Zoo among other places.

During this festive season, the Railways and the state transport earned remarkable income and transported lakhs of passengers.

Y P Jani, Deputy Station Superintendent, Junagadh Railway Station, said: “Since the last five days, the Railways’ income, on an average, has been rupees three lakh per day. Some 30,000 passengers have travelled by train in the last five days.”

The state transport division also reported a similar increase in passenger numbers. A state transport official from the Junagadh bus station said the state transport (ST) recorded a daily passenger base of one lakh. “The ST earned an income of Rs 6 lakh per day at Junagadh during the last five days,” the official said.

V J Rana, Director, Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh, said: “Over 50,000 tourists visited the zoo from October 28 to November 1. The zoo registered an income of Rs five lakh during this period.”

Monday, October 13, 2008

Junagadh News-L&T mulls thermal power project in Gujarat

BS reported that L&T Power Development Limited a power arm of Larsen & Toubro Limited is actively looking at Junagadh in Gujarat for setting up coal based thermal power plant.

Officials in the state government said that apart from power project, the company is keen on power distribution and transmission in the district.

The company has recently filed an Industrial Entrepreneurial Memorandum with center government for power project in Junagadh of Saurashra region. The company has also sought government’s permission for power generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.

Sources in state’s energy department said that a proposal for power project has been forwarded by L&T Power and details of the project are being worked out. The company as it is also developing Sutrapada port in Saurashtra. Recently Gujarat Maritime Board issued letter of intent to L&T for developing Sutrapada port which is close to Junagadh.

As per report, L&T also proposes to build two bulk cargo handling berths and breakwaters during phase I of the project which is estimated to cost INR 670 crore. The total capacity of this port will be 5.6 million tonnes. At present, the company is preparing detailed project report for its port project.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Somnath Veraval Junagadh District

Broad Gauge Rail Line Ready up to Somnath Temple :-

India Railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav will inaugurate Rs 30 crore Veraval-Somnath broad gauge line on 16th of this moth.

This five kilometer small stretch of new broad gauge line will facilitate pilgrims from all over the India to reach up to the Somnath temple in train.

Broad gauge facility was already in existence up to the Veraval Railway station which is seven kilometers away from Somnath. Pilgrims had to spend Rs. 60 to 100 to reach to the

Somnath temple from Veraval railway station.

Currently there are three popular trains to,

Veraval to Rajkot Junction Local Train.

Veraval Jabalpur Express.

Girnar Express and Somnath Mail.

Majority of passengers in these trains are pilgrims for Somnath.

Meanwhile local people in Junagadh district have demanded more trains for Somnath including Char Dham Jatra train and train connecting Somnath to Mumbai.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Sasan Gir National Park Junagadh District Tourism Gujarat India

This Navratri, Forest Dept tells a musical tale of conservation :-

Sasan Gir Maan Garje Sawaj, Dala Matthe Vanraj. Ache Hariyalu Gujarat. Game Game Upwan shobe. Chede, Cheda Ugya Jhad. Ache Hariyulu Gujarat…

"In Sasan Gir roars the lion with long mane, this is green Gujarat; where every village flaunts a garden, every corner a tree, this is green Gujarat…" goes the song penned by Natwar Hadau Gujarat Ecological Education Research (GEER) Foundation and District Forest Officer (DFO) C N Patel.

It is one of the many songs that have become popular in Junagadh and Bhavnagar districts, this Navratri.

For the first time in Gujarat, the State Forest Department has struck a different chord to spread awareness about the flora and fauna of the state during the ongoing Wildlife Week.

They have distributed more than 100 CDs containing garba songs in all the forest circles in the state and even a few garba organisers in Gandhinagar.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Sasan Gir National Park - MP wants lion's share of Gujarat's pride

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan demanded the Center to act on its plan to shift a part of the lions' population from the Gir forests to his state,

a move which is being fiercely opposed by the parent state which says the animal is its pride and gives a distinctive edge to its tourism.

His demand may rekindle the controversy over the trans location of Asiatic lions from Gujarat.

He said that, ''We have made all the preparations for receiving the guests, but, they seem nowhere to be coming. The Center should do something,''

Gir Forests in Gujarat are the only place in the world where the Asiatic lion is presently found.

The forests were overpopulated with the lions, so it would be in the interest of the animals' survival, if they were distributed to another habitat.

A Centrally-sponsored Rs 640 crore project had been proposed in 1996 to translocate the lions over two decades to the 344 sq km Palpur Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in MP's Sheopur district.

But, the Gujarat government's resistance to share its proud possession have thwarted these plans so far.

The MP CM said it has pained him to see that all efforts and money on making the sanctuary suitablle for the Gir lions was going waste.

Asked whether he was in talks with the Gujarat government over the issue, Mr Chauhan said he would address his demand to the Centre instead, as it was a central project.

The April 2005 census recorded the lion-count in Gir at 359, an increase of 32 compared to 2001.

Despite strong protection machinery being in place in the Sasan Gir National Park, poaching of the animals had been taking place. The lions had also been poisoned for attacking livestock. Other threats haunting the animals were fires, floods, epidemics and natural disasters.

But, the Gujarat government had been asserting that Gir forests were quite safe for the lions and rather may not find the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary suitable, he underlined.

He said the sanctuary in his state was absolutely fit and ready to sustain the Asiatic lions.

The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1965 in an area of 1412 km², located about 65 km to the south-east of Junagadh city of Junagadh district in the kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat.

The then Nawab of the princely Junagadh state had declared the forest area of Gir and its lions as "protected" in the early 1900s, an initiative that assisted in the conservation of the lions whose population had gone down to only 15 due to trophy hunting.

Sometime back, Uttar Pradesh had also made a move to get some big cats from the Gir Forests, but in vain.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, the erstwhile Chief Minister of the state, had envisaged development of a lion safari on a huge tract of land in the forest area of his home district Etawah.

Owning to the change of guard last year, the project, however, was almost put in the cold storage.

One of the difficulties was getting lions from the Gir forests, officials of the state say.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Somnath Temple Veraval Junagadh - About Shri Lal Krishna Advani Visit

Shri Lal Krishna Advani at Somnath Temple(Junagadh-Saurastra) :-

Shri Lal Krishna Advani visited Somnath Temple on 25th September Thursday.

After an overnight stay at Rajkot, Advani boarded a chopper and reached Somnath Temple at 9.38 am.

He offered prayers at the temple.

Later, he addressed the local BJP leaders at the VVIP guesthouse.

This was Advani’s 18th visit to the temple since 1990, when he had commenced the famous Rath Yatra.

Junagadh News - About Chorwad municipality

Chorwad municipality holds a people’s congress to discuss woes.

Chorwad, just about 70 kilometer from Junagadh, created history of sorts with its civic body convening a general body meeting in presence of hundreds of people.

The meeting was also attended by 21 elected municipal members who passed resolutions regarding the town’s development.

The town, which has a population of around 30,000 people, is riddled with innumerable civic problems.

The public meeting began on a positive note with the common people also attending it.

They put forward their questions, made suggestions and welcomed the civic chief’s move to hold the meeting in public.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Junagadh News - Women Police Station

At a time when the Gujarat Government is working to improve the condition of women in the state, the skewed ratio in the police force raises many questions about the actual progress made on ground.

Not withstanding the fact that around 30 per cent posts in the state police are allotted to women, there are not too many women in the force. About 60 per cent women working in the state police have got their jobs on compassionate grounds (where their husbands or fathers have expired and they have been given the jobs). The rest have either joined through direct entries or have joined for other reasons. The untimely or late recruitment has also been a cause of fewer women serving the police.

In Ahmedabad, there are 34 police stations out of which one is manned by women. The number of women in city police includes 35 head constables and 172 constables including the staff at the women police station. There are no lady inspectors. The women’s police station has a total strength of mere 35 women out of which five are sub-inspectors, four assistant sub-inspectors, three head constables and 23 constables.

Earlier, the central government had decided to encourage all-women police stations in the country. These will be equipped with all facilities to handle cases independently. But with a lukewarm response to police jobs, this concept is still in the experimentation stage.

Women police stations in Gujarat can be found only in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Junagadh.

Certain factors that have led to the present tilted scenario throw light on the lesser number of women in police: the most common being gender discrimination.

“Gender discrimination is evident among IAS and IPS officers also. There are hardly any women holding higher posts or getting promotions to the ranks of SP or Commissioner. With less number of women joining police, very few reach the top,” said an IPS officer posted in Gujarat.

How challenging is this job for women? “People have a wrong notion about women working in police. I won’t call it difficult; if it’s difficult for us, then it’s difficult for men as well. Women need to have mental strength to deal with every obstacle,” said Usha Rada, ACP of Karanj police station in Ahmedabad.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Junagadh(Saurastra)-Kathiyavadi Talks-Proud to be Gujarati

(1) Gujarat is one of the most prosperous states of the country, having a per-capita GDP 3.2 times India's average.

(2) If it was a nation it would have been 67th richest nation in the world above many European and Asian economies like China and Ukraine.

(3). Gujarat holds many records in India for economic development :-

20% of India's Industrial Output

9% of India's Mineral Production

22% of India's exports

24% of India's textile production

35% of India's pharmaceutical products

51% of India's petrochemical production

4. The world's largest ship breaking yard is in Gujarat near Bhavnagar at Alang.

5. Reliance Petroleum Limited, one of the group companies of Reliance Industries Limited founded by Dhirubhai Ambani operates the oil refinery at Jamnagar which is the world’s largest grass roots refineries.

6. Gujarat ranks first nationwide in gas-based thermal electricity generation with national market share of over 8% and second nationwide in nuclear electricity generation with national market share of over 1%.

7. Over 20% of the S&P CNX 500 conglomerates have corporate offices in Gujarat.

8. Over 35% of the stock market wealth of India is with Gujarati People.

9. Over 60% of Indian Population in North America is Gujarati.

10. An average income of a Gujarati family in North America is three times more than the average income of an American family.

11. Gujarat is having the longest sea shore compared to any other Indian state.

12. Gujarat is having the highest no. of operating airports in India (Total 12).

13. India's 16% of Investment are from Gujarat.

14. Gujarat is having highest no. of vegetarian people compared to any other state in India.

15. The first ALL VEG PIZZA-HUT was opened in Ahmedabad.

16. Ahmedabad “the commercial capital of Gujarat is the seventh largest city in India”.

17. Surat is the fastest growing city in the world.

18. Gandhinagar is the Greenest Capital City in whole Asia.

19. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) is Asia's 1’st and world's 45th ranked management college located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

20. Gujarat is the safest state as the rate of it is 8.2 which is the least in India even after considering 2002 communal riots, stated by India Today 2005 report.

21. Gujarat is having least against women among all Indian states (excluding Goa) where AP is 1st, Delhi is 2nd, Bihar is 3rd, and Zarakhand is 4th and UP is 5th.

22. Ahmedabad which is the seventh largest city in India is the lowest in rate among all Tier-I and Tier-II cities of India.

23. Ahmedabad is ranked 2nd in Real Estate - Ahead of Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai & Delhi. 3rd in Policy Initiatives - Ahead of Bangalore, Chennai, Calcutta, Mumbai & Delhi. 4th in Manpower - Ahead of Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai & Delhi.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Sasan Gir National Park Junagadh District Gujarat India

If you are in the Gir forests to watch the Asiatic lion, don’t be surprised to find women forest guards in the woods. It’s another male bastion which has been busted.

Gujarat forest department has sought to break the barrier, by introducing for the first time a large number of women guards and foresters in the jungles.


Of the 307 forest guards recruited through special camps in districts over the last one year, 51 are women. And out of 180 foresters recruited at four zonal camps held this May in Surat, Junagadh, Vadodara and Gandhinagar as many as 44 are women.

Till these recruitment, there were just two women working in the forests and both were Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers. Anita Karn is posted in Junagadh and Aradhana Sahu in Mehsana.

Fourteen women foresters have been posted in Gir and their boss, Anita Karn, is happy to have them around. “They have been quite useful in gathering information, carrying out raids and talking to womenfolk in the forests,” she told TOI over phone.

Aradhana Sahu added: “Lady Forest staffers are proving to be extremely useful in every sector, be it joint forest management, in which involvement of village women is critical, or guiding tourists in the wild and guarding wildlife.”

Forest officials in Gandhinagar say the women were recruited on the basis of their physical fitness and knowledge of neighboring forest areas. The physical test included long jump, high jump and rock-climbing. “We are happy such a large number of women applied for the jobs and also made it in the end,” said a senior forest official.

Girnar Mountain Hills Junagadh City Gujarat India

The Gujarat government is considering resumption of mining activities around the Girnar forest sanctuary, which was closed down. “We will consider the issue after the proposal is brought before the government,” Gujarat State Forest Environment Minister Mangubhai Patel said.

The Gujarat government had declared around 200 sq km Girnar forest area, located near Junagadh, a sanctuary in July 2008.

Following this declaration, the operations in the 77 mines located within a 5-km radius of the sanctuary limit, were brought to a halt, rendering over 25,000 mine workers jobless.

These workers launched an agitation in support of their demand for the resumption of stone mining activities, seeking an amicable solution.

Lakhabhai Parmar, local municipal corporator of Junagadh and a leader of the mine workers questioned the government’s rationale behind the closure of the mines.

“If the industrial units of the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation located in the area can operate within a 5-km radius of the sanctuary limit and the sanctuary rules are not applicable to them, how come they are applicable to these mines?” Mr. Parmar asked.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Junagadh Town Hall Health Center Saurashtra Kathiyavad Gujarat India

Gujarat government on Saturday decided to allocate Rs 25 crore each to six municipal corporations, including Ahmedabad, for developing city Infrastructure.

According to an official release of the state urban development department, AMC has been asked to use the grant for building a four-lane railway over-bridge and a new multistorey building for the LG Hospital from the grant. "In all, we have allocated Rs 150 crore,"urban development minister Nitin Patel said.

As for Vadodara, its municipal corporation has been asked to utilise the grant for building a new overhead tank and an indoor complex.

The municipal corporation in Junagadh will be using the grant for building a new health center, renovate the Junagadh Town Hall and set up a new vegetables market.

The official note does not say if the grant is in lieu of octroi abolition by the seven municipal corporations. It is also silent as to why Surat has not been given a grant.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Junagadh Agricultural University JAU Saurashtra Gujarat India

Junagadh Agricultural University gets AICTE accrediation :-

The Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) run Agricultural Engineering College (AEC) has been awarded the prestigious accreditation by the All India Council for Technical Engineering (AICTE).

With this, AEC has become Gujarat’s first and the country’s fourth agricultural engineering college to have obtained this accreditation.

Terming this as a matter of pride for Gujarat, the AEC Principal and Dean, Dr N C Patel said, “AEC is the first college in Gujarat to offer students Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) and Master of Technology (M.Tech) courses in Agricultural engineering.”

He added: “Maintaining its track record for excellence, AEC has become the first college in Gujarat to have been awarded the AICTE accreditation.”

According to Dr Patel, there are about 40 agricultural engineering colleges functioning across the country run by the government and the private sector as well. However, prior to this- only three other colleges have obtained this accreditation. Apart from B.Tech and M.Tech courses, AEC offers courses up to Ph.D.

Dr B K Kikani, Vice-Chancellor (JAU), said, “In the last seven years, students coming out from this college have received 100 per cent placement. Besides, students studying in this college have acquired positions in national level seminars.”

He added: “Considering the growing demand for qualified agricultural engineers in various sectors like high-tech agriculture, water and land conservation, food processing, agricultural equipments and Green House technology etc, we have increased our intake capacity up to 70 seats.”

It must be mentioned that Dr N C Patel has been awarded the Commendation Medal by the Indian society of Agricultural Engineers for distinguished service in his line of work.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Gir National Park Diu Visitors Junagadh Districts News Gujarat India

Gir National Park- Junagadh(Saurastra) :-

Now It’s a good News for all Visitors of Gir National Park (Junagadh-Saurastra),Nature Lover, Diu Visitors and also Historical Places Watchers.

Gir National Park has just got closer to Ahmadabad.

This time, it is not the lions straying further eastwards, but the Central government approving a second entry for Gir National Park forest from the Amreli side.

This will create a whole new tourist circuit which will include Gir National Park(Junagadh-Saurastra), Tulsishyam and Diu for the Amdavadi and south Gujarat backpackers.

So far, the entry into Gir National Park was from Sasan in Junagadh district.

The second entry point will be from Ambardi in Amreli district.

Officials said this area would be developed on the lines of Devalia interpretation zone for Asiatic lions.

This will make it easier for a tourist who wanted to do Gir National Park(Junagadh-Saurastra), and Diu in a single trip, packing in a lion safari, a pilgrimage and a beer on the beach.

Till now, travellers were forced to take a longer route from Junagadh, Sasan, Kodinar to Diu which was over 500 kms from Ahmedabad. But after the Ambardi entry, one could head directly for Amreli and from there to Kodinar via Tulsishyam and to Diu, saving around 100 kms.

The Central government has also announced a package of Rs five crore for the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) and Gujarat state forest department to set up another Asiatic Lion Safari in Ambardi area of Amreli district which already has the permission of Central Zoo Authority of India. This will develop eco-tourism in Amreli district, which borders on the east of Gir National Park(Junagadh-Saurastra) forest. The second entry is located three km away from Dhari on Amreli Road, which is 60 km from Diu.

State tourism minister Jay Narayan Vyas said, "This would shorten the route for those wanting to see lions before heading for Diu. We chose this because it is near Khodiyar dam, so there is a water source and there are some 150 lions here so the chances of sighting are high." He added that permission to launch a second safari was pending with the Supreme Court.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Junagadh(Saurastra)-Gir National Park-Lions Video



Its a relly amazing videoes.I am feeling very unlucky when I see this video instead of naturally.In Junagadh(Saurastra), The Lions of Gir National Park are also known as "SORATH NO SINH"in Saurastra Traditional "Kathayavadi" Language which we can say in english like “Lion of SORATH or Saurastra”.

If You still not visit Gir National Park, then I think You will miss in your Life.

So Visit the Gir National Park for forest adventures and also Historical Junagadh city to feel also royal man, Somnath Temple, Upekot in Junagadh. It’s my open Invitation to all over world people.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Junagadh(Saurastra) Tourism-Vanraj Theme Water Park


I am feeling very happy that there is new attraction of JUNAGADH(SAURASTRA)'s Tourist to also enjoy summer in Junagadh with VANRAJ them WATER PARK which is actually themed on Forest,Traditional environment of Saurastra and also on Lions.

How to reach at this Place? :-

This Vanraj Water Park is away from Junagadh city approximately 6 to 7 kms on MENDARDA-BILKHA highway. To reach there you have take local auto rickshaw on rent is the best way or You can take hired car at this place because it is on highway road touch.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Junagadh District Monsoon Saurastra Kathiyavad Gujarat India

Incessant rainfall in Junagadh district in the last 48 hours has disrupted normal life. On Wednesday, the first casualties were reported with the district officials declaring two persons missing, who are feared dead.

The water levels in all the dams have been augmented following moderate to heavy rains in the catchment areas. The sluice gates of Aambajal and Vrijmi dams have been opened to maintain the rule level, according to Flood Control Room officials.

By Tuesday evening, Mangarol, Malia, Veraval and Talala towns in Junagadh district witnessed heavy rainfall.

According to district flood control figures, Mangrol has received 305 mm rainfall followed by Malia with 285 mm, Veraval with 234 mm, Talala with 205 mm, Junagadh with 190 mm, Visavadar with 164 mm, Kodinar and Sutrapada with 155 mm each, Vanthali with 120 mm, Manawadar with 105 mm, Keshod with 102 mm, Bhesan with 100 mm, Mendarada with 55 mm and Una with 41 mm.

Heavy rains in Mangarol and Veraval has resulted in water logging in many parts of the cities.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Harsutaben Dave - Junagadh City Pride

Indian-American community members on June 21, joined in the rare and joyous occasion of celebrating the 100th birthday of Harsutaben Hemubhai Dave.

Her family, including four sons and three daughters most of who live in Southern California with their families hosted a celebratory party at the unjab Palace Restaurant, here.

The over 125 invitees who attended were treated to songs by the vivacious ‘birthday girl’ and a speech where she thanked all for her blessings.

Harsutaben Dave was born one hundred years ago in a little hamlet near Bilkha village of Junagadh District in Gujarat.

At 17, she was married to Hemubhai Dave of Bhavnagar. Two years later, with her husband who was a well known jeweler, she relocated to Burma. But in 1935, returned to India, due to the gathering of war clouds.

In December 1968, the family moved to the United States. Unfortunately her husband passed away just a year later. Today, her family are all well settled and doing well in Southern California. Only her eldest daughter lives in Mumbai.

The energetic Harsutaben pursued her creative interests and in 1997 published a book of poems.

Currently, she lives in Arleta in the San Fernando Valley area.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Asiatic Lions Sasan Gir National Park Junagadh Gujarat India

Gir National Park- Junagadh -The Best Wildlife and Eco-Tourism Site of 2008 :-

The Gir National Park and sanctuary has won a national award for the best wildlife and eco-tourism site of 2008.

The Gujarat State Tourism Minister Jay Narayan Vyas will be accepting the award in Mumbai next month.

The award follows a survey of frequent upwardly mobile travelers from 12 important cities in the country which was undertaken by a business television channel. The survey was supported and recognized by the central tourism department's Incredible india campaign.

According to tourism minister Vyas, while there has been growing global recognition of tourism activities in the state, this award will give a boost to the efforts of the Gujarat's tourism industry.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Jungadh Saurastra News

Jungadh (Saurastra)’s Real Hero :-

Briefly translated from Divayabaskar dated 6th June-Friday.

One Deaf Student Who is from Junagadh(Saurastra) got First Rank in 10th(S.S.C.) Exam of March-2008 in State in Special Category of Listening Problem whose name is JAY.

His Full Name is JAY VALLABHBHAI MUNGLPARA.

He said that “When he is only 9 months old, he became Deaf after his Lung’s Operation”.

He was mostly suffered from Illness of his Lungs,So that He was admitted 50 times & more in hospital during his Education Career.

He said that “I lost my Listening Energy not My Confidence.”

Now His will want to became DOCTOR in furure.

He also said “I get First Rank with 84.62% in S.S.C. Exam in Mar.-2008 with my 7 to 8 hours Reading.”

Jay’s Father is Clerk in High School and His Mother is Teacher.

“Because of this Lungs Problem Whenever Jay eat something extra more at soon we had to admitted him to hospital” as his Mother said.

She also added that “Jay also broght his important education notebooks with him,continue his study also in hospital during his treatment.”

Now He want to became DOCTOR in future and want to do research on his illness of Lungs.

Really After read this I remember Swami Vivekanand’s one Line,

“Try again,Try again You will succed at Last.”

And as per this Jay get Success in his 10th (S.S.C.) board Exam of March-2008.

Its really one of the Proud things for all 10th & 12th students of JUNAGADH(SAURASTRA) including Junagadh(Saurastra)’s People also.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Sasan Gir National Park Junagadh District News Gujarat India

Anthrax vigil disease attack Gir Sanctuary - Junagah(Saurastra) arounded area :-

Gujarat Forest Department has increased surveillance around Gir National Park in Junagadh in the wake of outbreak of anthrax in a village in the neighbouring Bhavnagar district.

Anthrax is a serious disease of sheep and cattle, able to be transmitted to humans. It is caused by the bacterium bacillus anthracis which is highly lethal in some forms.

The department is concerned about the safety of wild animals in the park which also houses Asiatic lions, said Principal Secretary to the department Sudeep Kumar Nanda.

Anthrax was reported from Bagdna village last week after samples of the some of the dead domestic animals tested positive for the disease.

Besides 359 Asiatic lions, the Gir sanctuary is home to 500 leopards and animals like jungle cat, hyena and jackal.

Some time in search of food, these wild animals stray into Bhavnagar district, where people from several villages around Bagdana have sighted lions in the past, he said.

If these wild animals consume anthrax-affected animals the disease can spread to the sanctuary, department officials said.

Nanda said Gir's forest guards have been told to bring to the notice of the department any incident of wild animals suffering from the disease.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Sakkarbaug Zoo Junagadh City Saurashtra Gujarat India

Cheetah in Junagadh (Saurastra)- Sakkarbaug Zoo :-

It’s a great news for all Saurastra Peoples aspecially Junagadh City Peoples and also Tourist of Junagadh(Saurastra) that,

“First time in India,the world fastest mammal who is known as “Chitah” is in Sakkarbaug Zoo of Junagadh.
So in Near Future, The Sakkarbaug Zoo of Junagadh will soon become the first zoo in India to house the world's fastest mammal -- Cheetah.

Zoo officials have decided to exchange a pair of lions to bring a pair of Cheetah from a zoo in Singapore.

Sakkarbaug Zoo, which was established in 1863, houses wild animals like lions, tigers, leopards and also has a breeding center of the famous Asiatic lions.

"The pair of Cheetah which is to be brought to Sakkarbaug Zoo would be from African gender. We have started procedures to exchange the animals but it will take at least three more months to import Cheetah from Singapore," they said.

Before exchanging the animals, the zoo officials of Sakkarbaug will visit Singapore Zoo to learn how to take care of Cheetah.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Kesar Keri Mangoes Junagadh Districts Gujarat India

Early Entry of rains in Junagadh(Saurastra), Make Mangoes more affordable :-

Early monsoon in the state might have brought respite from the scorching heat but it has come as bad news for mango farmers in Saurashtra.

Farmers say they have suffered a double whammy —the longest cold wave conditions in the state coupled with the early rains which affected the Kesar mango crop especially in Saurashtra.

The mango yield fell by over 40 per cent in Saurashtra region. Secretary of the biggest mango marketing yard, Agriculture Produce Market, Talala, HH Jarsania says: "There are hardly any buyers. The rate for a 10 kg carton is usually around Rs 150-160 per kg, but at present the same costs around Rs 60-70," says Jarsania.

In Saurashtra, over 20 per cent of Mangoes are yet to ripen in places like Vanthali.

Meanwhile, mango lovers in Gujarat who had to restrain their mango appetite that sold at Rs 60-70 per kg in May might get a chance to feast on the king of fruits in the last two weeks of the season.

Wholesale dealers and retailers of mangoes say that certain communities, sizeable in number, don’t eat mangoes after the first rains which will cut the demand by 20 per cent. "Mangoes will become affordable once the rains set in," says Magan Motibhai, a fruit retailer at Jamalpur who was selling Kesar mangoes at Rs 40 per kg. "Prices will come down once rains come but the quality and taste may suffer," says Lachhman Rohra, chairman of the Wholesale Fruit Market Association.

Bachubhai Ahir, a farmer from Talala says, "Once the rains begin the crop is totally destroyed and we have to simply dump the crop into the sea." According to Bachubhai about 30 per cent of the crop is still in the fields. Mohan Patel, a resident of Vanthali and a prominent mango farmer says, "In Talala and Junagadh the farmers pluck mango early but in Vanthali the plucking is about to begin and with early rains over 70 per cent of the crop is destroyed. The farmers are incurring huge losses."

PK Kapadia, associate research scientist, Mahuva says, "Due to late flowering this year in several areas, the mangoes are still not ripe and this early rain would definitely affect the crop. Nearly 30 per cent of the crop is due to late flowering," he said.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Saurashtra Monsoon Samachar Gujarat India

Saurashtra districts armed to the hilt to beat the monsoon floods.

The sudden rains in Rajkot on Monday caught many commuters unaware, but at the same time, some were prepared with their raincoats too.

With just a few weeks left for the monsoons, the authorities in Saurashtra are leaving no stone unturned to ensure safety of the villagers in case of a flood-like situation. Though only a couple of villages in the costal belt have been affected by the sea water ingress so far, the district authorities do not want to take any chance while checking on the adversities.

From information technology to human resources to security agencies like the local police and the SRP, all have been working in tandem to handle excess downpour and floods.

On Monday, the Disaster Management department headquarters at all the seven districts in Saurashtra — Rajkot, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Amreli, Surendranagar and Bhavnagar — set up 24-hour control rooms following the forecast of moderate to heavy rains accompanied by winds with velocity of over 60 kmph.

The district administration at Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Junagadh and Amreli, which fall on the costal belt, were put on alert after high tides created fears of sea ingress in the villages located on the shoreline.

"Barring two villages in Bhavnagar taluka, so far, the sea ingress has not been noticed. But a contingency plan, including nagarpalikas, talukas and districts, has been put in place to face any adversity," said Bhavnagar Resident Collector M C Trivedi.

The official added: "There have been some ingress reports from Kotda village, but the situation is under control. In such a situation, our major concern will remain on four talukas — Bhavnagar, Ghogha ,Tadaja and Mahuva — that are located on the coastline."

All the seven districts have been connected through (Gujarat State Wide Area NetworkGSWAN), which helps them share resources. Various districts have been sharing information on GSWAN about the available resources at a particular time and place. This aims to help the mamlatdar offices to get help from the nearest place rather than rely only on the district headquarters.

Besides, at Rajkot, a special training programme for disaster management has been going on for a fortnight to tackle the flood-like situations during the monsoons.

"Sixty men from various nagarpalikas of Saurashtra have been given rescue and relief training to handle fire and flood situations. A training programme for an SRP platoon is on," said Rajkot chief fire officer R K Maheshwari.

"These personnel can either lead operations to tackle small emergency or can be helpful in large scale disasters," he added. Equipped with one of the best and latest rescue equipment and training staff, the Rajkot Disaster Management department is considered the best in Saurashtra.

Jamnagar, which last year had to rely on Rajkot for rescue operations during floods, has done some up gradation to provide timely rescue. "The district administration from its own fund has acquired two speed boats and placed an order for two more," said Jamnagar district disaster management officer Dhananjay Goswami.

He added that last week a meeting with Jamnagar airbase officials was held to form an outline for aerial rescue, if required. Last year, speedboats from Rajkot and helicopter services from the airbase were pressed into service in various flooded parts of Jamnagar.

Gujarat dominates national Mt. Girnar climbing contest

Girnar - Junagadh(Saurastra) Mount Climbing Contest :-

The first ever national Mt. Girnar contest has participants from Gujarat emerge best. Three of the four winners are from Gujarat. The competition was the national level extension of the event that began in 1971 as a local event. Mount Girnar is Gujarat's tallest peak.

Kamlesh Baghbel, a 25-year-old athlete from Chhattisgarh was the only outside participant to win in the competition. She came first in the women senior category.

Baghbel clocked 34 minutes and 48 seconds to climb the 3,600-foot-high mountain, and topped the women's category, winning a cash prize of Rs.50,000 .

Bhiku Rathod of Talala in Junagadh won the first place in the male (senior) category took 57 minutes and 12 seconds to climb 11,000 steps from foothills to the Ambaji temple at the peak and then return at the base.

In the junior category Karashan Khadivadra of Jamjodhpur got first place in the male category and Poonam Solanki of Una got first place in the women category.

The contest was held in two categories juniors and seniors (men and women) with 89 men and 62 women at the starting line at 6 a.m. Out of them, only 102 could complete the full course.

The first place in men's category was won by Bhikhu R. Rathod, who The Gujarat government had announced total cash prizes of Rs.500,000 for the event.

The event was first started by Saurashtra-based Gujarati daily Phoolchaab in 1971. Ten years later, the state government took over its organisation.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Junagadh City Kotak Mahindra Branch Gujarat India

Junagadh(Saurastra) will have Kotak Mahindra Branch in future.

The fifth largest private sector bank Kotak Mahindra on Tueasday announced its expansion plan in Gujarat.

The Group-head of Retail Liabilities and Branch Banking, K V S Manian told reporters here that the bank would be opening more branches in the state by the end of current Financial Year.

"Looking at the response we got from customers in Gujarat we have decided to expand our network from the current 33 branches to 45 across 22 districts and 34 locations by the end of this fiscal year," said Manian, who was here to inaugurate the bank's first branch in Gandhinagar.

"Gujarat is one of the properous states in the country and a key market for us and we see immense potential for growth and expansion here. If we look at our all-India business, 15 per cent is from Gujarat," Manian added.

The places where Kotak Mahindra Bank will open its new branches in the state includes Puna, Vyara, Palsana and Sachin in Surat district, Dahod, Palanpur in Banaskantha district, Kakoshi and Siddhpur in Patan, Junagadh, Amreli and Junagadh.

Manian said the expansion is part of its nation-wide initiative to set up over 100 branches at the cost of over Rs 200 crores in the current financial year.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Junagadh Agriculture University JAU Saurashtra Gujarat India

The overy of a rare coconut tree species here has raised hopes for double yield of the fruit for cultivators in Saurashtra.

Like all palms, coconut trees have a single trunk and are without any branches. But the new species has around two to four branches, making it the rarest of its kind.

Last seen in the Ivory Coast in 2006, this di-headed palm, as it is being called by the local experts, has been cultivated by a small-time farmer, Vinja Selar, in Krisi village of Porbandar district.

“Four of the coconut trees I planted seven years back have developed multiple branches. Two of them have two branches and the other two, four branches. The yield from the multiple branched trees is also double the regular ones,” said Selar.

Porbandar district Horticulture officer M D Dhorajia said:

“A regular coconut tree gives around 20-25 nuts per season. But the di-headed variety produces nearly 40 nuts per season. In India, varieties like Dwaraf, Lotan, Bona and Hybrid are commonly found. But all the varieties known so far have only one trunk and are without any branches.”

Selar has now begun procedures to get a patent for the tree and given the nod to scientists at the Junagadh Agriculture University to conduct a research on it.

“The Horticulture department got in touch with the university, which has shown a keen interest in conducting a research. Soon, a joint research by the department and the university would begin,” said Dhorajia.

“This is the first time we have come across such a variety in India,” he said, adding they would now conduct research into all aspects of the tree like the size of the nuts, colour, the taste of water and oil content.

He said if the tests give a positive result, the department and the university would take initiative to promote the new variety among the local cultivators.

Selar and the scientists are, however, both puzzled as to how a regular seedling developed into a rare variety. “I don't know how this happened. I have been trying to grow more trees of the same variety,” said Selar.

“It's very difficult to say how a rare variety evolved from a regular seedling. We hope to learn the transition during research,” said Dhorajia.

Selar further said his 20-bigha farm has over 100 coconut trees, but these four are special.

Coconut is grown along the 1,600 km long Saurashtra coastline and covers districts like Porbandar, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Amreli.

In 2007-2008, coconut cultivation in Saurashtra covered over 560 hectares and the total production was around 42 lakh nuts.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Gir National Park News - Junagadh Saurashtra

With mercury registering high temperature with each passing day, the forest authorities in Sasan Gir sanctuary have made arrangements to protect lions and other wild life and domestic animals from being thirsty.

About 215 artificial water points have been made to arrange drinking water for animals.


The wildlife division in Sasan Gir is sending in a large number of tractor-tankers to replenish water holes and is also keeping a watch on movements of the prides.

According to B D Pati, the Chief Conservator of Forests, the drive of creating man-made waterholes is on and a good number of people are involved to make sure that pride of the jungle has no such problem.


"The work of filling water point is on and we are sending a team inside the jungle with tankers. They are keeping it well. We have made several artificial water points and we are filling them regularly wherever we believe that the lions are returning to drink water. A good number of people too are engaged in this drive," B D Patil said.

Wild Life Conservation Trust is one such non-government organization (NGO) that is active in construction of a wall surrounding open wells in the nearby villages, lest the animals from the sanctuary fall into them.

"Actually Sasan Gir is a dry deciduous forest type of area. There are seven parallel rivers, which go dry at times in summers. So to prevent these wild animals to come out of the wild forest and to make sure they get water inside the forest we have installed 200 artificial water points in the sanctuary area," said Kishor Kotecha, Founder, Wild life Conservation Trust.

Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Sasan-Gir) is the sole home of the pure Asiatic Lions.

Spread over about 258 kilometers for the fully protected area (the National Park) and 1,153 kms for the Sanctuary, the area is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species.

Established in 1965, the total area of 1,412 kms is located about 65 km from Junagadh city of the Junagadh district in Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat.

Seven rivers that pass through Gir namely Hiran, Saraswati, Datardi, Shingoda, Machhundri, Ghodavadi, and Raval have started drying up.

Less than 250 watering points are presently available for more than 390 lions, 350 leopards, and 40,000 ungulates, including spotted deer, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, antelope, and wild boar.
Besides, Gir harbours 1,000 species of Birds and 26 species of reptiles

Really This is great news for all wild life which are presently live in GIR NATIONAL PARK(SASAN GIR-JUNAGADH) and struggle against Summer.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Junagadh District News - Gir National Park Saurashtra Gujarat India

Junagadh(Saurashtra) - Gir National Park New for Asiatic Lions :-

The Sasan Gir - Junagadh (Saurastra) Sanctuary, the only abode of Asiatic lions, will be extended by 180 sq kms, an authority of the Gujarat Government's Forest and Environmental Department said on Sunday.

"At present, the sanctuary is spread across 1464 sq kms area and will be extended further by another 180 kms," Sandeep Kumar Nanda, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environmental Department told the media.

Due to excessive hunting, poaching and forest depletion, there was a tremendous decline of lion population in the country, he said.

"Considering the constant decline of lion population in the country, the Gujarat Government set up a 258 sq km Gir National Park inside the sanctuary itself. The Sasan Gir-Junagadh(Saurastra) sanctuary is an entry point to this park," Nanda added.

The sanctuary is also a major tourist attraction for the tourists and foreign dignitaries visiting the country, he said.

The forest has extremely rugged and hilly terrain and is the largest dry deciduous forest in the western india.

It also houses about 300 species of birds including King Vulture, Crested Serpant Eagle, Great Horned Owl, Bush Quail, Woodpecker and Horn Bill.

With a view to spread the message of lion safety, the forest department, along with the environmentalists, have been organizing the Lion Safety March in the Gir forest on several occasions, Nanda said.

"During such march, people roped in to save Gir Lion and also pledge to save the big cats in and around Gir during such march," he said.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Girnar Moutain Climbing Contest Result Junagadh City Gujarat India

Gujarat Mountain Climbing contest won by Baghbel(Chhattisgarh athlete) :-

Baghbel synchronized 34 minutes and 48 seconds to climb the mountain 3,600-foot-high, and supplemented the category of the women, gaining a money price cash of Rs.50,000 and different Rs.1,100.

'I will come again,' Baghbel, 25, told IANS.

Competition for A-grade officials held in two juniors and seniors of categories (of the men and the women) with 89 men and 62 women with the starting line at 6 hours of the morning.

Out of them, only 102 could achieve the full course. The first place in men's category was won by Bhikhu R. Rathod, who tool 57 minutes and 12 seconds to climb 11,000 steps from foothills to the Ambaji temple at the peak and then return at the base.

The Gujarat government had announced total cash prizes of Rs.500,000 for the event.

The event was first started by Saurashtra-based Gujarati daily Phoolchaab in 1971. Ten years later, the state government took over its organisation.

Saturday's event was the first time when competitors from outside the state participated in it.It was relly great & wonderful moments all competitors & Junagadh's People.

Now Junagadh’s People are eagerly waiting for next Gujarat mountain climbing-Girnar(Junagadh- Saurastra) contest to do something better than this contest.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Girnar Mountain Climbing Contest Junagadh City Saurashtra Gujarat India

About Junagadh(Saurashtra) - Girnar Mountain Climbing Contest :-

More than 200 mountaineers including NRI a woman will take part in a contest rising national mountain of level to hold with the mountain May 10 of Girnar-Junagadh(Saurastra) here.


The event will be marked with far by the minister Fakirbhai Vaghela of sports of state.

Of the 229 participants, Gujarat has 127 follow-ups of Diu 45, will Andhra Pradesh 11, Rajasthan 10, Daman 9, Karnataka and Delhi 5, will Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh 4, Chattisgarh 3, Panjab and Tamilnadu 2, and Bihar and Kerala 1 part.

Girnar-Mountain Climbing Contest Money prices cash in Rs.500,000 value were announced. Disputing will begin Thursday of arrival.

Its will be relly great adventure events for Junagadh’s People & Girnar mountaineers.

It’s will be one of the most memoriable sports events for all over Gujarati People including Junagadh(Saurashtra).

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