Ambardi Safari Park

Brief History

The Ambardi Safari Park situated 7 kms from Dhari, is a Reserved Forest (RF) of Gir Protected Area on the bank of Shetrunji river near Ambardi village. Its undulating terrain, proximity to a large water reservoir and Khodiyar temple make Ambardi a place worth visiting.

This unique ecosystem of Gir forest comprises of over 606 species of plants, 39 species of mammals, over 300 species of birds. 37 species of reptile and more than 2000 species of insects.

Some of the floral species found in Ambardi are Kher, Sadad, Timru, Deshi Babul, Kadayo, Semalo. Bo, Gorad. Hereto, Khakhro, Lapadu, Ratad, Jinjavo, Shaniyar etc.

This diversity of plants creates an ideal habitat for mammals like Asiatic Lion, Leopard, Chinkara, Bluebull, Spotted Dee, Porcupine, etc.

Ambardi is home to a variety of avian species. Parakeets, woodpeckers, mynas, flycatchers, bee-eaters, warblers, peafowl and birds of prey.

The Asiatic Lion

The Asiatic lion once ranged from Iran to all over Northern India, but disappeared from everywhere due to reckless hunting and loss of habitat except from Gir. In 1913, when the Nawab of Junagadh and the government became aware that very few lions were left, uncontrolled hunting of lions was banned and for the first time, few steps towards lion conservation were initiated. This critically endangered species has been saved from the threshold of extinction due to excellent management and conservation efforts by Forest Department and immense support from the people of Saurashtra. As a result, the population of lions has shown a steady increase. Today, lions are not just in Gir Forest but they roam in 22000 sq. km. area of 8 Districts namely Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Botad, Jamnagar and Porbandar. The area is named as Asiatic Lion Landscape.

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