Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary:
Ten years after it was notified as an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), a committee of monks recently demanded scrapping of this conservation status for the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary that houses 54 lions so that all religious activities can be organized freely.
- It is located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat.
- It spans the rugged terrain of the Girnar hills, which are a part of the Saurashtra region.
- Girnar has a rich cultural and religious significance with Hindu and Jain temples situated on the hills.
- Predominantly dry deciduous forests with species like teak, dhak, acacia, and other drought-resistant plants.
- The sanctuary supports a mix of dense forest, open scrub, and grasslands.
- It is filled with abundant wildlife, including Asiatic lions, spotted deer, Sambar, Chousinghas, Chinkaras, leopards, Indian golden jackals, and around 300 species of birds, which include both resident and migratory.
- It serves as an extension of the Gir National Park’s lion population.
