254p., 32 Col. Illus., Figs., Map, Bib., Index, 23 cm.
CONTENTS
CONTENTS:- Conservation History of Gir forest; Lion in Ancient India; The Gir Forest; Tribal Communities of Gir forest; Saga of Lion-Human conflict; Ancestors of Lion an the Lion-like Creatures; Lion: The King; Man-eating Lions; A Paradise of Wildlife; Crocodiles and other Reptiles; A Bird-watchers' Paradise; Save the King: Conservation Policies; Captive breeding and genetic reserve; In search of a New home; Counting the Lions: Census of Gir Forest.
DESCRIPTION
The ultimate habitat of the dwindling population of the Asiatic Lion has been preserved and protected for centuries in a small locale in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Over the ages, the area derived its name from the ancient Girnar hills and came to be known as Gir Forest. The vibrant culture of Junagarh had an overwhelming influence over the forest. Gir also had its own entiry in the Mahabharata and in the medieval history. Lion is a name synonymous with Africa and its existence outside the continent is unknown to most people in the world, even to many Indians. India holds the unique distinction of having a combination of tigers and lions since the prehistoric epoch. The Asiatic lion is on the verge of extinction and is enlisted in the Red Data Book of IUCN as "Critically endangered". This raises afresh the question whether Gir is a safe haven for the lions, or has the time come to search for a new lions, or has the time come to search for a new home for the king of the forest.
