Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary comprises 1412 sq km
of deciduous forest interspersed with semi-evergreen and evergreen flora,
acacia, scrub jungle, grasslands and rocky hills. Fed by perennial and
seasonal rivers and streams, the sanctuary has large water bodies like
the Kamleshwar Dam that are good for crocodiles and birds.
The Gir National Park is located about 65
km south east in the Junagadh district of Gujarat. Gir
National Park is one of the India’s finest wildlife
sanctuaries located in Gujarat. This national park is set up
in an area of 1412 square km. of lush deciduous forests. This
national park was established on 18th September 1965 as a
Forest Reserve to conserve the Asiatic lion. The Gir National
Park is the final refuge of the rare Asian lions which roamed
freely two centuries ago
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throughout Middle East and some parts of
India. Sasan, with a forest rest house, is the headquarters of
the national park. Various deciduous forests, grasslands,
acacia scrub, wetlands and the seven rivers forms the
topography of this national park.
    The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary also known as Sasan-Gir, is a forest and wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, India. Established in 1965. The park is located 65 km to the south-east of Junagadh and 60 km to south west of Amreli. It is the sole home of the pure Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica) and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species. The ecosystem of Gir, with its diverse flora and fauna, is protected as a result of the efforts of the government forest department, wildlife activists and NGOs. The forest area of Gir and its lions were declared as “protected” in the early 1900s by the then Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh. This initiative assisted in the conservation of the lions whose population had plummeted to only 15 through slaughter for trophy hunting. | |
The China-made CRH380 train has been clocked at almost 420 kilometers
per hour, a world speed record, though it will usually operate at a
maximum speed of 350 kmph. China aims to have 13,000 kilometers of high
speed rail in operation by 2012. 
Railway officials recently announced they were working on technology to boost speeds to over 500 kmph. 
Faster than a speeding bullet train ... Japan is testing a maglev
(magnetic levitation) train capable of reaching speeds up to 581 km/h.
Starting the list is the famous M-497 Black Beetle, an experimental
train built by the New York City Railroad Corporation in 1966. The Black
Beetle was mostly an amalgamated creation, being one part Budd Rail
Diesel Car and two parts jet engine. This monster was then sent on test
runs which proved to be largely successful, reaching speeds as fast as
184 mph. Unfortunately, it was deemed unfit for commercial purposes and
the project was scrapped. Today, the M-497 still holds an unbroken speed
China has recently revealed pictures of its high speed test train which
has capability to travels 310 miles (500 kilo meters) per hour. This is
the fastest train in the world. The design of this train resembles
shape of ancient Chinese sword.
Train consists of six cars reinforced with carbon fiber. With maximum
tractive power of 22,800...
Japan's Maglev train leaves the platform for a test run on an
experimental track in Tsuru on May 11, 2010. US Transportation Secretary
Ray LaHood took a test ride on Japan's super-fast magnetic train that
day, but President Obama's high-speed rail plans have largely fallen
through since then.
French engineering firm Alstom unveiled its successor the the TGV today,
the AGV. Standing for Automotrice Grande Vitesse, the train, which
boasts an individual engine beneath each carriage, can travel at speeds
of up to 223mph, or 360kph. Up to 700 passengers can be transported at a
time, and less fuel is used, as the AGV is lighter than its elder
sister and consumes up to 30 per cent less energy. More info below the
gallery.
Travel by Japan's Shinkansen Bullet Train is not cheap. For locals, the
average round trip ticket between Tokyo and everyone's favorite ancient
capitol, Kyoto, is 27,000 yen ($270). Ouch. There are however, sweet
deals available only for foreign visitors. 
