⧪ Ecological
importance
⇛
The largest compact tract of dry deciduous forest in the country, protected as
Gir National Park and Sanctuary, covers an area of 1412 sq km in the Saurashtra
region of Gujarat.
Gir has a very stable
ecosystem, self-supporting and self-sustaining capacity due to its richness of
biodiversity:
⇛
A breeding ground for migratory birds, the avifauna of Gir includes a variety
of raptors and many other significant species, including Lesser Florican,
Osprey, Indian Pitta, Red-headed Vulture, etc.
⇛
606 different plant species, 39 species of mammals, 37 species of reptiles and
over 300 species of birds and more than 2,000 species of insects.
⇛
It also supports a variety of reptiles, including the Indian python and the
Indian star tortoise, and possibly one of the highest populations of Marsh
crocodile in the country.
⇛
Gir also has one of the densest concentrations of leopards in India.
Gir is essential to life in
Gujarat. It helps in the smooth running of several ecological activities.
Gir is important to made
atmosphere stable and clean..
Important rivers like
Shetrunji, Hiran, Saraswati, Shingoda, Machhundri, Raval and Datardi.
The forest helps recharge
the water table due to infiltration and percolation in conjunction with soil
and moisture conservation.
Thus, Gir is a boon to
farmers inhabiting the peripheral environs; it ensures sustained agricultural
and horticultural production.
Not to mention, the forest
has great potential to be a centre for creating environmental awareness and
imparting nature education.
The real feather in Gir’s
hat, though, is the presence of the Asiatic lion.
The attraction of
these species coupled with the aesthetic beauty of the area to the
Somnath temple, has made Gir a popular tourist destination.
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