Sasan Gir Earthquake Epicenter – Bhukamp na Mota pachchi 57 thi vadhare NANA Aanchaka

After few days ago, quake of 5.3 magnitudes jolted the Whole especially with Gujarat stateJunagadh District and Saurashtra Region.

But after that, Junagadh Jilla Villages experienced as many as 57 aftershocks till Saturday.

As per Latest Seismologist Interviews, they said that, this was part of the many aftershocks of the 2001 earthquake.

Senior scientists at Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), Gandhinagar, are monitoring the seismic activity in Sasan in Junagadh and Kutch.

"Our team is working in Sasan as part of the investigations. We have installed four instruments within 20 km area of the epicenter."
Aftershocks of very low magnitude are occurring as the seismic activity in the area is decaying.

"So in order to register even the minute activity, we have installed such instruments close to the epicenter."

"It is nothing but an aftershock of the 2001 earthquake. Several such aftershocks have occurred in the same area earlier too."

As per Latest Junagadh District Collector AM Parmar Interviews, he said that,"We have started the survey in affected areas. This is likely to be over in the next 4 to 5 days. Many people whose houses were damaged are living in their farms.”

Asiatic Lion Sancturies India – Sasan Gir National Park gets 60% bonus tourists this Diwali vacation

Bollywood Megastar Amitabh Bachchan charm continued to work for the forest department at Gir Wildlife Sanctuary (GWS), the only abode to Asiatic lions in the world.

At least 60 % more tourists are booked at this sanctuary for Diwali vacations, compared to last year.

The sanctuary will open on Sunday after a three-month break for monsoon, which also coincides with the mating season for the beasts.

According to officials at GWS, the tourist flow has increased drastically as compared to the last year.

The conducive environment and the facilities provided by the department has turned out to be a major aspect attracting the tourist, officials said.

Even the Gateway hotel at Sasan Gir is completely booked, weeks after it opened.

As per Latest Chief Conservator of Forests, Junagadh, R L Meena Interviews, told to media that, “After the poaching incidents, which surfaced in 2007, we have taken several measures to change the entire perspective about Gir. The staff has been changed totally and about 400 of them are new recruits and that makes a lot of difference.

The old staff had been working as typical forest department staff whereas it needed something more than that because it was all about attracting more tourists.”

“Not only that, the local tourist guides have gained a lot of confidence in explaining about wildlife to the tourists.”

“There is no doubt that his presence has made direct impact on the tourist flow. After all, he is a superstar and people do acknowledge him.”

During 2009-10, a total of 2,06,563 persons visited the sanctuary and Devaliya Safari Park.
During 2010-11, 2,71,745 persons visited GWS and Devaliya Safari Park.

“There is an increase of 65,182 tourists in the financial year 2010-11 in comparison to 2009-10, which shows 31.55% increase in the tourist flow. During the current financial year, 1,08,996 persons have visited the sanctuary and Devaliya Safari Park. The sanctuary remained closed for tourists from June 16 to October 1.”

The tourism campaign has also benefitted the private hospitality sector, with the first large foray into the area booked full for the Diwali season.

The newly opened Gateway hotel at Sasan Gir — a part of the Taj hospitality chain with 28 rooms and a regular jeep safaris — has already been booked to capacity for the Diwali holiday season.

“We are completely sold out. It’s a mix (of foreign and domestic tourists), but a lot of domestic.”

Asiatic Lions Wildlife Gujarat - policy a roaring success

Gujarat is Animal friendly state in India.

While the number of any particular animal might have grown in some State or other, Gujarat is probably the only State where the populations of as many as four big wild animals have gone up.

While the rise in population of the Asiatic Lions in Sasan Gir, its last natural habitat, is well-known, the numbers of three other big animals, too, have grown in Gujarat during the past few years.

Apart from the Asiatic lions in Gir, the big wild animals whose populations in Gujarat have grown are leopards, wild ass and sloth bear.

The increase of Asiatic lions in Gir to 411 in 2010 from 359 in 2005 was well publicized, but around the same time, the State’s leopard count, too, rose to 1,160 from 1,070 in 2006 and the number of wild ass in the Little Rann of Kutch went up from 3,800 to 4,038 in 2009.

The sloth bear population, found mostly in the eastern tribal belt of the State, grew to 293 in 2011 compared to 270 in 2006.

As per Latest Pradeep Khanna Interviews who is Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) said that, “While the number of one particular animal might have grown in some State or other, Gujarat is probably the only State where the population of as many as four big wild animals have gone up.”

“People in Gujarat have a lot of respect for wildlife.”

Khanna attributed the phenomenon mainly to the “animal-friendly nature of the people and the local culture in Gujarat”.

He also cited the State’s conservation efforts and the “dedication of the Forest department field staff” for the flourishing wildlife population.

Though the growing number of wild animals raises the possibility of man-animal conflicts, Khanna said that there are ways to tackle such problems.

When the growing number of Asiatic lions started to stray out of the designated Gir National Park, the State Government quickly decided to notify new adjoining areas as sanctuaries.

Thus, Mitiyala and Girnar areas were notified as new sanctuaries in 2004 and 2008 respectively to accommodate the growing number of the big cats.

The rise in the number of wild ass in the Little Rann of Kutch led to these animals straying into fields with standing crops. “People had to be convinced not to poison them.

Similarly, cattle-lifting by lions led to confrontations with villagers.

“The compensation paid in such cases has been much less than the actual price of cattle killed. Villagers want more, but are tolerant enough not to harm the lions.”

The number of sloth bears is growing in the sanctuary areas of Surpaneswar (Narmada district), Jambugodha (Vadodara), Ratanmahal (Dahod), Balaram and Jessore (Banaskantha), primarily because these areas have been left unaffected by urbanization. “Good forest areas have not been diverted for industrial use.”

Sasan Gir National Park Entry Fee - Vidyapeeth study proposes hike

Vidyapeeth student Dhara Kanojiya has deduced that people will be prepared to pay more.

As per this Gujarat Vidyapeeth student, who studies rural economics at the Gandhian institute, people will be ready to pay more to visit Gir, if they are made aware that there is more to Gir than only lions, that the sanctuary has a large number of bird species and a rich bio-diversity.

As per her latest interviews, she said that, “it’s possible for people to pay a higher entrance fee than what they pay at present to see the Gir lion. Kanojiya has used the Travel Cost Method in her research work, ‘Environmental Valuation of Gir National Park and Sanctuary’ to come to the conclusion.”

Taking into account a tourist’s cost of recreation, travel, accommodation, beside the time factor, she has deduced that people will be prepared to pay more than what they spend now. From the present entrance fee of Rs 75 to Rs 260 to see the lion and move around in Gir, it can be raised to Rs 320, which is nothing but consumer surplus.

“The increase in fee can be utilised for better maintenance of the ecosystem. It will also encourage more tourists. After calculating travel, accommodation, recreational and time cost, a thorough analysis was carried out by me. It gave a proper assimilation of cost which ultimately led to demand function showing the interest to see lions and move around Gir. Then a consumer surplus was obtained.”

“Indian tourists only know about lions in Gir and move around Devaliya parks. Most tourists don’t explore Gir sanctuary. In fact, they are not aware that it’s an abode for large number of bird species and has a rich bio-diversity. Safari is used only by foreign tourists, who are aslo aware about the bird species.”

“For Indian tourists, the most important factor for touring Gir is the distance between their place of residence and the recreational site. For them, Gir is high on their list of recreational places, while for foreign tourists Gir is one of the many places for recreation.”

“Many voiced dissatisfaction regarding inadequacy of information about Gir, limited boarding facilities and no signboards.”

Kanojiya credits her guide Nimisha Shukla, head of Economics Department for supporting her in her decision to work in the jungle and get data for it. She stayed in Gir many times for her work, talked to 92 Indian tourists and 77 foreign tourists for her survey. It must be noted that Indian tourists spend the most on travel. The cost incurred on recreational activities and food is not significantly high.

To her surprise most believe Gir to be only Devaliya Park, which is described as a large cage for lions. Areas like Tulsishyam and Mitiyala, beside Gir, are left unexplored.

Kanojiya believes it is necessary to decide an entry fee for people who visit the religious places within the national park to control their number and put a check on pollution. Access and use of jungle for the purpose of fuel wood and fodder need to be strictly checked and prohibited.

Sasan Gir National Park Girnar Mountain visit cancelled by Jairam Ramesh

Jairam Ramesh who is Union minister for environment and forests was to visit Sasan Gir Asiatic Lion Sanctuary and the site of proposed ropeway project at Mountains Girnar in Junagadh district had cancelled the programme at the last moment, leaving many people disappointed and I am also.

He was to arrive at Sasan Gir on the night of January 14. On Saturday morning, the he was to see the Asiatic lions at the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and then visit the proposed site of Girnar Ropeway Project, which awaits clearance from his ministry and is delayed for various reasons.

The project went for approval to the Union ministry of environment and forests after the 178.88 sq km area, including Mount Girnar in Girnar forest, was declared as wildlife sanctuary in 2008.

As per Latest Junagadh BJP MLA Mahendra Masharu Interviews, he said that, "We have made several representations and also sent one lakh signatures to the Union environment ministry, asking that the project be given the nod. When we met Jairam Ramesh in Delhi, he assured us that he would visit the place, but has not been able to do so far. We urge him to either visit the site at the earliest or give nod to the project."

Talala Gir Forest Junagadh District - mild tremor experienced

At 16th May – 2010, mild tremor was experienced in Gir Forest in Junagadh District.

Junagadh District Collector A M Parmar said that, "The tremor measuring 2.9 on Richter scale was experienced this afternoon but no casualties was reported.”

According to the official, the epicenter of the tremor was 50 kms north of Talala Gir Town in the district, where the Famous Gir Lion Sanctuary is located.

Visavadar Taluka Junagadh District News – Eleven black bucks found dead

Eleven black bucks were today found dead on the outskirts of Gir Forest area in Visavadar Taluka in Junagadh District of Gujarat. Forest officials are trying to ascertain the cause of the deaths.

They suspect that this could be due to some kind of poisoning of the water nearby. "Carcasses of 11 black bucks were found in the revenue area of Visavadar taluka," Range Forest Officer, Junagadh District, Sudhir Chaturvedi.

"These were found at five different places near the border of Kanavadla and Nana Hadmatiya villages. Three of the black bucks were males and eight were females," he said.

All the carcasses have been sent for post-mortem and forest officials are trying to identify the cause behind the death of these animals, he added.

Sasan Gir National Park Sanctuary

Last but not the least is the people's participation that was given credit for the spectacular increase in the population. "We got the maximum of people's participation in the census process this time. Lots and lots of volunteers had joined the exercise," the forest department stated.

Be that as it may, the main functionaries in lion conservation are the residents of the surrounding villages, who do not flinch when a lion kills their livestock. How possessive the villagers are about the lions is evident from this incident of 2007.

Soon after the poaching incidents in 2007, the forest department was seeking help from the villagers for better protection of the lions. The villagers said they would help the department only if it promised that it would not take away any of the lions (meaning, the relocation proposal of the central government).

"'You do not worry about the lions preying on our livestock that is our internal issue. The lions are part of our family; we can deal with them. But don't take them away,' the villagers told me. I was totally impressed by their humane legacy," Modi said.

Much as the king of the jungle gets the lion's share of attention, one should not overlook the other wildlife which keeps the ecosystem robust. Principal Secretary, department of environment and forests, Gujarat, SK Nanda said all volunteers had reported sighting large numbers of sambars, retells and porcupines. "The population of Sambar is estimated to be around 48,000, there are 250 leopards in the Gir Jungle and 1,070 all over Gujarat," he said.

Narendra Modi Interview – About Asiatic Lions Census Method at Sasan Gir National Park

Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modisaid the world should notice the scientific approach used in the lion census by Gujarat State this time. "Institutes should conduct a scientific study of this method and get it replicated in other wildlife censuses too," he added.

He said that, earlier, the census was carried out in a rather arbitrary manner, seeking input from passers-by about lion sightings and estimating their population on the basis of attacks made on other animals. But this time, the method used was technologically very robust.

According to the information given by the department, the special features of the latest census were the use of GIS, GPS and wireless technologies for effective coordination. Proper documentation was done for each observation. Through direct sighting, the animals were identified by distinct body-marks.

Each team involved in the census was to record these body-marks and other details such as time of the sighting, to and fro directional movement, etc, on a form prepared by the forest department. Digital pictures were also taken for the records.

Summer is the best time to conduct this exercise as the number of water resources gets restricted. Lions and other wild animals need to drink at least once in 24 hours. This makes it comparatively easy to decide the places in the jungle where the animals could collect.

The available water sources and probable places where the lions could visit were surveyed during the forest department's nine-month-long pre-census exercise.

"Long ranging animals like lions are not confined to man-made ecological boundaries. Keeping this in mind, a beat was decided as the smallest geographical unit inside the Gir protected area and a village was taken as the smallest unit outside Gir Jungle," chief wildlife warden RV Asari said.

The exercise to record the numbers and movement of the lions had begun nine months back. Based on the observations made during this period, 641 probable sites were identified where the chances of finding the lions were the highest. Also, data of the hunts of the last 10 years were analyzed. Gir National Park and the adjoining areas were divided into seven regions, 28 zones, and 100 sub-zones for the census.

At the last count, 135 officers, 450 enumerators, 900 assistants, 134 volunteers, 49 photographers, 13 doctors and 12 researchers were part of the census team.

Junagadh News – Amreli is rival as host of lions in Gujarat

Gujarat's Junagadh District seems to getting tough competition from Amreli District, a neighboring district, as a host of the coveted Asiatic lions. As many as 108 lions have been sighted in Amreli which is second only to Junagadh City where 270 have been recorded.

Incidentally, the Gir National Park and Sanctuary is located in Junagadh. While Bhavnagar's grasslands are emerging as a favorite of the king of the jungle, not a single lion has been recorded in Porbandar district.

The latest census has reported the existence of 77 cubs less than one year old, and 75 cubs aged less than three. "40% of the lion population is 'youth', similar to India's human population," Modi quipped as he announced the census results on Sunday.

Sasan Gir National Park News - Asiatic Lion Census Completed

The four-day exercise to count the number of Asiatic Lions at its only abode in the Gir Forest in Junagadh District Saurashtra region of Gujarat concluded.

Officials engaged in the census, refused to be drawn into the number game till all reports were cross-checked and tabulations completed, but preliminary information indicate a steady rise in the lion population in “Greater Gir,” including areas outside the Gir National Park where lions have strayed into lately.

Forest department sources said the lion population could have increased to 390 to 400 despite incidents of poaching and natural deaths during the last five years. In the last census, held in 2005, the count was put at 359 (plus minus 10).

The final result is expected to be announced on the Gujarat Foundation Day at 1st May - 2010.

Asiatic Lions Census India – 200 cameras for Sasan Gir National Park

The 13th Asiatic Lion Population Estimates 2010 will begin on April 24 in Greater Gir Sanctuary, which includes Gir National Park and Sanctuary. The area is spread in four - Junagadh Districts, Amreli Districts, Bhavnagar Districts and Porbandar Districts.

Principal sectary forest and environment department SK Nanda informed the media on Tuesday that the population estimates this time will be different from the earlier exercises.

"For the first time, we are using 100 GPS equipment, 200 cameras and 100 special camera teams for making an accurate documentation of the lions and keeping the exercise error free.

Another first is that the exercise will also incorporate Greater Gir," Nanda said and added that the many non-forest staff as ex-government officials, doctors, journalists, nature lovers would participate in the exercise.

"We have identified 450 locations in the Greater Gir area where enumerators will take estimate of the lions," he said.

Giving details of schedule, Pradeep Khanna, PCCF, Gujarat, said the exercise will start on April 24 and continue till April 27.The findings will be announced on April 29. "About 1,600 people will take part in the survey, out of which 100 will be volunteers," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, senior IFS officer RV Asari, the nodal officer for the survey, said, in order to make a comprehensive survey, the Greater Gir Jungle area has been divided into seven regions, 28 zones and 100 sub-zones.

Sasan Gir National Park Gujarat Looking at return of Asiatic Cheetah

Gujarat State is willing to examine the remote possibility of the almost extinct Asiatic cheetah being reintroduced into its old home in the state, an official said Tuesday.

Pradeep Khanna, principal chief conservator of forests, while admitting in reply to a question that the possibility was remote, was nevertheless willing to examine the feasibility of such a move.

“Like Gujarat is the sole abode of the Asiatic Lion in the world, Iran is the only place where the Asiatic cheetah now survives. And it is critically endangered with less than 100 of them left,” he added.

Khanna said that the chances of Iran agreeing to part with any of its specimen of this carnivore were very remote. “We have four of the African variety in the Sakkarbaug Zoo Junagadh City but have had no success in breeding them in captivity,” he added.

Khanna said that for the very reason that the state was opposed to parting with the Asiatic lions for the proposed Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary Madhya Pradesh.

“While lions would never thrive in the proposed Madhya Pradesh sanctuary, we would like to study and survey, even involve the wildlife institute in it before arriving at some conclusion on a tiger reserve. Dangs in Gujarat was tiger country but these animals perished over time,” he said.

“So we need to address the reasons that caused their disappearance and remove them before we initiate any move afresh to bring them back,” he added.

Asiatic Lions Population Sasan Gir Jungle Junagadh District Gujarat India

The suspense that has built up over the last five years over the lion population in Sasan Gir Jungle will end within 72 hours of April 24, when the scheduled Asiatic Lions census in the region begins. But the exact number by which the population of the Asiatic Lions in Gir Wildlife Forest has risen will be known only on May 1, when Gujarat turns 50 as an independent state.

The census will be carried out by a team of 1,300 volunteers who will be joined by senior state foresters and big cat experts drawn from all over the country. Spotting the lion king was never easy but foresters are hoping that technology will come to their aid this time.

This is the first time that the lion census is being conducted on such a massive scale over a large area and much more scientifically than in previous years. The laborers, forest staff and volunteers involved in the census will fan out over 300 beats carved out of a 5,000 sq km area called the Greater Gir.

Seven regions were identified; these were then divided into zones, sub-zones and beats. This is also the first time that the ‘Greater Gir’ region which includes areas in – Amreli Districts, Junagadh Districts, Bhavnagar Districts and Porbandar Districts- is to be covered for the census. Earlier, it was restricted to the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary spread over an area of 1,412 sq km.

The inclusion of other areas for the census is a restrained admission by the establishment that the lion habitat has now expanded much beyond the sanctuary area. The majestic beast is now steadily reclaiming its traditional corridor all the way from Porbandar to Bhavnagar.

The last lion census of 2005, which stated that the lion population in the Gir sanctuary was 359, was conducted by identification of pug marks. This time the methodology of ‘direct sighting’ will be used. Under this method, specific body marks will be identified and uploaded into the GPS device carried by each team. This data will be available to all other teams simultaneously.

“It will reduce redundancies to a great extent, but not completely,” said principal chief conservator of forests, Pradip Khanna. Ironically, it might be relatively easier to enumerate the lion king in summer as they tend to hover close to the water holes because of the heat.

Junagadh Forest Department News Tourism Gujarat India

Junagadh Forest Department has created new Trackers party to deal with issues pertaining to lions outside the Sasan Gir Lion Sanctuary area.

Last month, locals of Mandanpara and Chorvadi villages near Bilkha Taluka killed a lion in self defense. On the backdrop of this incident, the forest department decided to extend its supervision also in non-forest area around Gir Jungle.

Trackers party will build relation with the village people settled around forest area. There would also be an information mechanism.

Junagadh’s CCF Sudhir Chaturvedi has appointed RFO Dipak Pandya to lead trackers party. In its first success, the trackers party relocated a 6-ft-crocodile from Sodavadar village to Willingdon Dam.

Siddi Tribe Sasan Gir National Park History Junagadh Gujarat India

The men folk of African primitive tribe Siddi, who were brought here as slaves by the Portuguese, are being trained to become eco-guides of the Asiatic lions last abode -- Gir Sanctuary -- by the Gujarat State Government.

This is a part of the project initiated by the state Tribal Development department in order to improve livelihood, housing, access to safe drinking water and electricity, increase literacy, health facilities and roads to the five major Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG) of Gujarat, namely Kolgha, Kathodi, Kotwalia, Padhar and Siddi.

"Looking at the concentration of Siddi tribe near the Gir Forests in Junagadh District, we thought of training them to become eco-guides, which will help them take advantage of the growing eco-tourism in the state, especially around Gir Forest region," Secretary, Tribal Development A M Tiwari.

Wildlife Lovers News about High-tech gadgets for Sasan Gir National Park Asiatic Lions

Below news really good news for Wildlife Lovers especially for Asiatic Lions (Sorath No Sinh) from Gujarat India because declination to give Gir Lions to Madhya Pradesh for their relocation in Kuno-Palpur sanctuary last week, Now Gujarat Government try their level best for better care of Asiatic Lions. Please continue to read this Sasan Gir Lions Samachar (news) from Junagadh District that,

Gujarat government is in the process of introduction of high-tech gadgets like GPS, automated sensor grid and night vision devices to make the jungles safe in an effort to strengthen Asiatic lion conservation at Gir National Park after poaching incidents of 2007.

"Based on the recommendations of the task force, we are in the process to introduce these high-tech gadgets in the Gir forest for the lion conservation. We have identified technology partners for the development of communication systems based on GPS “Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Pradeep Khanna said.

Unforgettable Journey For Asiatic Lions Junagadh District Gujarat India

In India, Cities like Rajkot, Jamnagar, Amreli, and Bhavnagar are famous for their tourist attractions. But Here I want to share about one another city from Gujarat State is Junagadh-Saurashtra.

Junagadh, one of the well-known city for its history background, lots of tourist attraction places like Girnar Mountains, Temples, Uperkot, and Sakkarbaug Zoo etc.

So if I am talk about Gir National Park which is also known as Sasan Gir locally lies in western Gujarat, established in 1965. It serves as a reserve forest for preserving the Asiatic lion. The vast terrain—forests, grasslands, rivers and swamps—supports the full Animal Planet menagerie including the antelope, leopard, deer, hyena, jackal and crocodile. The watering holes dotting the region attract myriad bird species—and these areas are jewels in Gujarat’s richly studded safari crown.

There were only a total of 15 tigers when the rehabilitation started. In 2001, the population grew to 338. In April of 2005 the numbers increased to 359. Visit national parks, especially the lions of Gir National Park to learn more about wildlife preservation. Bring along your children so that they can appreciate the beauty of nature at an early age. Teach and educate them about the importance of preserving nature.

Now if I am talk about Girnar Parvat at Junagadh City which is famous all over in Gujarat for Girnar Lili Parikrma which was lastly held at 29th October-2009 for 5 days.

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

Authorities like Junagadh Municipal Corporation, health care department, state transport, forest, water supply, police, in addition to social and religious organizations, are on the job of helping about one million pilgrims expected this year.

Mine Personal Touring experience at Junagadh City said that, “There are lots of trustable services available like “Various Nationalize Banks in different areas in city easily available. Rental Car, Bikes are also very cheap. E-commerce cousulting services, Food Zone, Restaurants with Various Menu available.””

May be after few years, with the help of Gujarat Tourism Department, sure Junagadh City can become main historical tourism hub in Gujarat.

Gir National Park Sasan Forest Jungle Asiatic Lions Junagadh Gujarat India

IBM to help create 'Little Africa' in Gujarat.

In a bid to provide employment to youth of the African-origin Sidi community settled in Saurashtra, Gujarat government has planned to create a ‘Little Africa’ on the fringes of Gir forest by developing a theme-based resort.

The resort to be developed on 25 acres of land would be promoted by global giant IBM. The tribal development department of the state government has entered into a tie-up with IBM India for the project.

“The Rs 10-crore project, excluding the cost of land, would be fully funded by the Gujarat government. IBM will provide expertise to select a private partner to run the resort. It will also provide consultancy to market this ‘Little Africa’ across the world to lure maximum tourists,” said Per Yorgansen, project manager, IBM Denmark, who is in Ahmedabad for IBM’s Corporate Service Corps (CSC) program.

Pallavi Shukla, senior consultant to the state government for the project, said that development work would start by March 2010 and the resort would be functional in three years.

“Around 200 Sidi youth will get direct employment. Besides, there would be plenty of indirect employment opportunities as a ‘gram haat’ to display Sidi handicraft will be set up. Every evening there would be cultural events featuring Sidi ‘Dhamal’ dance troupe, which is very popular,” said Shukla.

The resort would be a replica of a typical Sidi village. Even interiors of all the 30 rooms would have an African touch. A museum would display various facets of Sidi life in and around Gir Jungle Forest, especially their interface with the Asiatic Lions.

The Sidi community came to India from East Africa as slaves around 500 years ago. Their population is currently 10,000 in Gujarat, concentrated mainly on the periphery of the Gir forest in Junagadh district