National Bullock Cart Trekking Program in GIR

This is 1st national trek in Gujarat, organized by YHAI.

YHAI its celebrating 100 years of youth hostels internationally & 60 yrs in India.

To promote enviorment conservation it has organized eco-friendly trekking programme.

It would be an amazing experience to be the guest in the only home to the Great Asiatic Lions.

Participants would also experience the culture of rural india & the slow, simple & yet so comfortable life.

Besides Lions, the Gir Sanctuary region is also famous for its vast forest area which is spread over in 1412 sq. kms. 


more information just click the link below :

http://yhaindia.org/files/adv_programs/description/BULLOCKGUJARAT.html

or contact:

on 98254 33144

Preparations started for Girnar Parikrama

To know what it Girnar Parikrama, pl refer :

http://junagadhtourism.blogspot.com/2008/09/girnar-parikrama.html

Preparations have been started at big scale for parikrama this year. It used to have much of tourists attraction and thus traffic, so authorities need to be prepared to serve all at their best. This year it is going to be held during 9-15 November.

The collector had called a meeting to prepare action plan for the parikrama, which aimed to facilities and security as well. The basic facility includes logistics, electricity, water & health. Also, they aimed on regularisation of auto-fare, traffic & about maintaining law & order. Like every year, it was also decided to keep watch on pressure point for the comfort of visitors. Notabely this year, tobacco & plastic pouches of water are totally banned.

Some 7 km (1/5 of the total route) of the parikrama route is more or less damaged due to heavy rains in late monsoon this year. That is also to be repaired by 5th as per decided.

Yesterday, on 13th October 2008, school-students helped authorities to collect plastic waste along the route during a cleanup. They collected more than 1000 kgs of plastic waste leaving the trek better than before. Same excercise used to be held before & after Parikrama every year.

So, Junagadh is getting prepared for one of its exclusive (& big!) celebrations, which is going to increase the population of city (0.5 million) to three-fold, of course for a week of 9-15 November!

Gir prooves itself king of Tourism in Gujarat

The following information is originally an article by the leading newspaper Times of India.

(Article link (courtesy) : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Gir_is_lion_of_all_sanctuaries/articleshow/3561630.cms)

"...Of four national parks and 22 sanctuaries in Gujarat, Gir in Junagadh and Nal Sarovar in Ahmedabad district top the popularity charts among visitors. The state tourism department seems to have failed to market sanctuaries in other parts.

According to official data, Gir Asiatic lion forest reserve alone has attracted 66 per cent of tourists in Gujarat and over 80 per cent of total foreign tourists visiting the state. Officials said that if the data of Nal Sarovar and Thol bird sanctuaries and Gir are put together, other sanctuaries in the state have just attracted seven per cent of the domestic tourists visiting Gujarat for wildlife tourism.

Forest officials say that the only reason why there are not many visitors at other sanctuaries is lack of infrastructure and not many people are aware that these exist.

Besides, the Devalia interpretation zone for Asiatic Lions and Sasan Gir fall in the pilgrim circuit of Somnath and Diu, for those wishing a boozing break. Officials also say that Sasan Gir is a hot favourite among Amdavadis. "Rest of the sanctuaries are isolated and it is only nature lovers from the state who visit these sanctuaries."

Bharat Pathak, conservator of forests (Junagadh) says, "A detailed analysis is required. But the immediate reasons are the popularity and good infrastructure in Sasan Gir. The other attractions are also the large variety of birds found here."

It is notable that the number of tourists to Gir is increasing every year. Which was stupendous 15% hike last year!

Read more in local language :

http://www.sandesh.com/sandesh_article.aspx?newsid=20841

If curious, here is a nice resource on Asiatic Lions & Gir :

http://girforestguide.blogspot.com/

Mount Girnar Steps-Climbing Contest 2008 (courtesy : Paavan)

Originally posted at blog 'Historical Junagadh City' by Paavan. Interesting, must say !! click here to read full article: http://historicaljunagadh.blogspot.com/2008/05/junagadhsaurastra-girnar-mountain.html & who's won?!!! read it here.. http://historicaljunagadh.blogspot.com/2008/05/girnar-junagadhsaurastra-mountain.html So, keep your fingers crossed till next year... & three cheeres for the winners!!!