The Indian Lion

Extract

The Gir Forest in Kathiawar is the last home of the Asiatic lion. Up to the beginning of the last century the lion inhabited all suitable parts of north and central India, but the introduction of modern firearms and the spread of population led to its disappearance by 1884 from everywhere except Kathiawar. Even within Kathiawar the lions retired to the protection of the Gir Forest, except for irregular visits as far afield as the Barda Hills. This forest in southern Kathiawar in 1878 covered 1,200 square miles, but its area is now reduced by half. Much of it is thick forest of the mixed deciduous type, with teak predominating, but the undergrowth is fairly thin, allowing grazing of cattle and buffaloes throughout most of the area. In the eastern Gir there is grassland and scrubby bushes, including several kinds of acacia.