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.”

Talala Gir Kesar Keri Mangoes – get Geographical Indication for GI Registry Chennai

Geographical Indication's Registry in Chennai gave geographical indication (GI) tag to Talala Sasan Gir Kesar Mangoes and Bhalia wheat from Gujarat.

Junagadh Agriculture University and Gujarat Agro Industries had applied for the tag on behalf of Junagadh farmers.

The new status would help prevent sale of ordinary Kesar mangoes, grown mostly in Junagadh and Amreli districts, as Gir Kesar.

The entire area around the Gir sanctuary would be home to this variety and only those grown in this area would be known as Gir Kesar.

Mangoes from other parts of the state would be called Kesar though.

The taste of Kesar Keri from the Gir area was different from the varieties grown elsewhere.
The fine ranges from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh under the Geographical Indication of Goods (registration and protection) Act, 1999.

Bhalia is a long grain of wheat grown without irrigation for centuries in the Bhal region of Gujarat.

The wheat has high protein content and has a sweet taste.

Bhal region is spread across Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad districts.

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."

Gir National Park Forest Department Junagadh District News – NIFT Design Uniforms

The new uniforms will have camouflage patterns with anti-bacterial finishing; may take over two months to come.

Over 400 field staff manning the Brihud (Greater) Gir National Park and Sanctuary in Junagadh District will soon have chic and comfortable uniforms designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Ahmedabad. The new uniforms will be of camouflage patterns with anti-bacterial finishing.

A three-member committee comprising Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife Crime Cell) D K Sharma, Gujarat Medicinal Plant Board CEO S C Pant and NIFT director will supervise the plan.

Associate Professor Vishal Gupta of NIFT-Fashion Designer, said: “NIFT did a survey on women beat guards and found that they prefer trousers. Our aim is to make the uniform more comfortable for them as they are on duty for over 12 hours every day. The fabric remains the same i e Polyester Viscose.

But it will now have an anti-bacterial finish and crotch guard, so that it is comfortable as well as rough and rough.”

There are some small modifications suggested in the prototype presented before the committee, D K Sharma said.

“Earlier, there were no bags or pockets. It became arduous and uneasy for the foresters to handle the burden all the time. The new uniforms have been designed keeping all these factors into account. There is a small rucksack so that the officers can carry their water bottles, wireless and other important accessories at work,” he added.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Administration, Pradeep Khanna said: “The prototype will be shown to the field staff, and then we will decide if the uniform is suitable for them. This might take two months or more.”

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.

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 Forest National Park - GIS for Asiatic Lions

In a first, the state Sasan Gir Forest Department will be using Geographical Information System (GIS) for census of Asiatic lions in the Gir Forest National Park from April 25 to 30.

Unlike in earlier methods, the department will not be using baits for the census this time.

Nearly 450 beat guards have been identified as enumerators for the upcoming census.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Pradeep Khanna said, “We are opting for GIS mapping to prevent redundancy and bring in more accuracy in counting.”

According to Khanna, in the last census, a total of approximately 360 lions were reported at the Gir sanctuary.

“We will not use baits this year. We have not used the system for two consecutive terms. We have trained our staff to follow simply the sighting system,” he said.

The preliminary survey for probable locations of sighting lions has already begun at the sanctuary.

Forest officials said, “We will also identify lions by their scars, which is a specific method for some animals that are found close to human habitats and those away from the area.”

Khanna said: “The GIS system will help the Forest department to do away with the tabular form of saving the Asiatic lion census data. It will also facilitate the department to bookmark Asiatic lions habitat including changing trends and seasonal patterns.”

According to officials, new methods will be a combination of the earlier ones. “The census will be done in three parts. First, it will be counting, followed by rest for the staff and lastly the collation of sightings,” said forest officers.

Sasan Gir National Park Wildlife Sanctuary Junagadh News Gujarat India

Lion census is set to begin shortly at the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, and the State Forest Department may also take up GIS mapping this time.

But in an irony of sorts, a recent training conducted by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has shown that only 16 per cent of the total staff manning the sanctuary actually knows the exact application of The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. About 490 Gir staff had attended the first-ever WTI training in Gujarat.

Rakesh Singh, WTI Coordinator, told The Sunday Express: “The training was conducted from December 9 to 25 and had two segments. In some cases, it was disappointing to know that the forest officials were not even aware of the application of The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Under this Act, every forest officer is empowered to arrest a person, detain vehicles and even seize property if he comes across any wildlife crime. However, not many forest guards and range forest officers were aware about this.”

He added: “There were multiple choice questions in the post training session. Only 50 per cent of the total participants were able to identify the pug/hoof marks of antelopes, lions, sloth bear, chital, hyena, sambhar and black bucks.”

WTI officials said most of the forest officers had already completed 30 years of service as beat guards and range officers.

“The Forest Department has been giving training to the frontline staff, but most of them failed to answer basic queries such as how crime investigation should be done,” Singh said. He also did not rule out that a lack of understanding of wildlife could lead under-reporting of cases.

According to the WTI, nearly 25 per cent of the total staff undergoing training failed to identify wildlife crime; out of 490 staffers, 324 did not know what a protected area is, and only 16 per cent of the total staff knew what their powers are.

“Forest authorities told us that our training received a negative feedback, but the forest officials said otherwise,” said WTI officials.

A Round Forest officer from Girnar Forest Range said: “I have been in this service for 30 years. The WTI training has been more effective, so much so that after the training we were able to identify 13 wildlife crimes.”

Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) M M Sharma refused to comment on the matter.

India is known for its culture, heritage, wildlife, deserts, temples, palaces and forts. India has plenty offers for eager traveler. If you are loving of wildlife and nature than India is favorite destination.

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