Introduction
The perfect complexion of deserts, grasslands, deciduous
forests, wetlands and marine locations of Gujarat
has been one of the most preferred places for wildlife exploration. It is a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife devotee. The uniqueness of the state is that it is a home to numerous habitats which varies from rare to common wildlife. It is truly a dream destination for those who love to experience nature and its belongings. There are four National Parks and twenty two wildlife sanctuaries. Among the entire the top five wildlife sanctuaries are as follows.
has been one of the most preferred places for wildlife exploration. It is a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife devotee. The uniqueness of the state is that it is a home to numerous habitats which varies from rare to common wildlife. It is truly a dream destination for those who love to experience nature and its belongings. There are four National Parks and twenty two wildlife sanctuaries. Among the entire the top five wildlife sanctuaries are as follows.
National Parks
Gir National Park
Gir National Park is also called as Sasan Gir National Park
is located at a distance of 43 kilometres north east of Somnath and 60
kilometres south west of Amreli. The National Park covers an area of about
258.71 square kilometres. Both the rare and common collection of flora and
fauna captivate thousands of nature lovers all through the weekend. Gir
National Park comprises of 300 species of birds, 32 species of mammals, 26
species of reptiles and thousands of other insects.
Faunas: Asiatic lions spotted wild cats,
ratel, ruddy mongoose, bulbul, leopard, wild boar, Langur, jackal porcupine,
sambar, fox, pangolin, hyena, leopard, paradise fly catcher and civets. Flora: Khair, Dudhlo, Teak, modad,
timru, dhav, desi baval, ber, saledi and sadad.
Marine National Park
Situated on the southern shore of Gulf of Kachchh in Jamnagar
district, Gujarat. It covers an area of 458 square kilometres. Blessed with the
great diversity of habitats, Marine National Park features large numbers of
sponges and numerous reptiles, mammals and flora and faunas.
Mammals: Black Naped Hare, dugong, gangetic
dolphin and Jungle cat. Reptiles: Common
monitor, Green sea turtle, leather back turtle. Birds: imperial eagle, black shouldered kite, white tailed eagle,
steppe eagle, Montagu’s harrier, Laggar falcon, common kestrel, Indian courser,
godwit, caspain tern, pelican, flamingo, southern grey shrike and many more.
Blackbuck National Park
Blackbuck National Park is nestled at a distance of about 46
kilometres from Bhavnagar headquarter city. The Park is spread over 34.52
square kilometres and the natural habitats living in here along with the
amazing views are eye soothing. The park is a tropical grassland and has four
dissimilar surroundings which are are shrub land, Saline land, grass land and
high tidal lands. It is a home to 187 species of birds and other species of
animals.
Birds: Duck, crane, stork, eagle, pelican,
partridge, ands grouse, Lark and florican. Reptiles:
Common cobra, Krait, Sand Boa, Rat Snake and Saw scaled Vipers. Mammals: wolf, wild cat, Nilgai, Jackal
India fox, wild boar, porcupine, hare and rodent.
Vansda national Park
Vansda National Park is addressed at a distance of 65
kilometres east of Chikhali town on the national Highway 08. It is spread over 23.99 square kilometres and
lies in the Valsad district of South Gujarat. This National park is a great
place to visit as it is well maintained and protected by the government of
Gujarat. One can find more than 250 species of plant life in here and many
species of birds and wild animals.
Birds: Pea fowls, sun birds, leaf birds,
Shama, Malabar Torgon, Great black Wood keeper, Paradise Fly catcher, Racket
Tailed Drongo, grey hornbill, shama and Emrald Dove. Wild animals: Giant Squirrels, python, leopards, jungle cat,
spotted deer, Pangolin, four horned antelope, macaques, hyenas, mongooses,
barking deer and civets.
Wild Ass Sanctuary: Beautifully located in the Rann of
Kutch, Wild Ass Sanctuary is the largest sanctuary covering an area of 4954.71
square kilometres. Being the largest sanctuary of India it offers abundant
species of reptiles, carnivorous, birds and plants. The word wild Ass is
related to the donkeys, horse, and zebra which is the only place in India where
Asiatic wild Ass can be spotted.
Wild mammals: Blackbuck, India Wild Ass, wolf,
Indian fox, desert cat, Hyena, Chinkara, Nilgai, Caracal, Indian desert Gerbil,
Mongoose and Pangolin. Reptiles: Black
Cobra, Sand Boa, Yellow Monitor and Spiny tailed Lizard. Birds: Steppe eagle, Imperial eagle, Bustard, Lagger Falcon, Short
cared owl, lesser Flamingo, White Stork, Great White Pelican, Crane, Gadwall
and tufted Duck.
Barda Wildlife
Sanctuary
Spread over an area of 192.5 sq km, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary
is located just 15 Kms from the coast of Porbandar district. Relatively small,
the sanctuary has distinguished characteristics and houses various species of
flora and fauna. The area has 650 different species of flora which is highly
important for medicinal purpose. Earlier the sanctuary was home to various species
of animals, but at present animals has extinct from this sanctuary.
Nal Sarovar Birds Sanctuary
Located
very close to Sanand Village, 64 kms west of Ahmedabad, Nal Sarovar Birds
Sanctuary is a popular bird sanctuary with almost 210 different species of
birds. During winter time, various species of birds including migratory birds
like Greater Flamingos, Pelicans, Purple Moorhen, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks,
etc visit here. Between November and February, this sanctuary becomes heaven
for bird watchers as indigenous and migratory birds come here in this sanctuary
to spend time.
Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Located
in the soothing ambiance of the emerald green Aravali hills, Jessore Sloth Bear
is home to rare species of flora and fauna, mainly a home to endangered sloth
bear. It is an important centre that has typical and great ecological
significance that cautions between desert eco-system and the dry deciduous type
of eco-system.
Purna Wildlife Sanctuary
Declared
as a wildlife sanctuary in 1990, Purna Wildlife Sanctuary which is located in
the tribal district of Dangs has a thick forest cover in the whole of Gujarat.
It has dense forest cover of tall teak as well as flourishing flora like salai,
kadaya, killai, haldu, sisham, etc.
Porbandar Bird Sanctuary
Located
in the western part of the state, Porbandar Bird Sanctuary which was declared
as a bird sanctuary in the year 1988 portrays the perfect example of
co-existence of man and birdlife. The sanctuary is home to various species of
bird life like ibis, cranes, red shanks, Indian roller, gulls, pelicans, ducks
and geese, cormorants, etc. If you have love for nature and bird watching,
Porbandar is the perfect place for you.
Well
there are many other wildlife parks and sanctuaries in Gujarat and those would
be covered in my next article. But whatever are mentioned here, they are the
top notch one which are worth to visit during your Gujarat tour or on you
wildlife tour of Gujarat.
0 comments: