 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Bhavnagar
Wildlife
Velavadar National Park, the only tropical grassland in India recognized, as a National park is located in Bhavnagar district, in the Bhal region of Saurashtra, Gujarat. The park, now spread over an area of 34.08 sq.km used to be private grassland of the ex- princely state of Bhavnagar with an area of about 1788.88 ha which was subsequently declared as a reserve forest and later notified as a National Park in 1976. An area of 1622.23 ha was further added in 1980. The main attraction of the park located seventy-two km away from the city of Bhavnagar is the massive population of Black Buck, Antelope, Wolf and other endangered species of birds. The Park has areas of dense grasslands, sparse grasslands, Prosopis
shrubland, saline lands and high tidal mudflats. Thirty-nine species
of grasses and 46 species of sedges, shrubs and trees represent
the diversity of flora. The fauna of the park comprises mainly of
Black buck, Antelope, Blue bull, wolf, jackal, hyena, jungle cat,
fox, Wild Boars and birds as well. All these animals can be viewed
on the open Flat grassland from very close range. The exclusive
Indian Black buck, which the sanctuary is named after, is one of
the most graceful and beautiful animals of its kind. Endangered
birds like Houbara Bustard, Lesser Florican, Sarus White Storks,
How to get there
Accommodation There are private owned luxury hotels in Bhavnagar City.
The hilly thorn forests in northern part, an integral part of Gir, are an extension of Gir Protected Area. The area is undulating and hilly and availability of good fodder has made the area suitable for Chinkara. The Sanctuary has been established especially to protect the Chinkara. Gir Sanctuary constitutes boundary in south and east of this prime habitat of Chinkara. About 39.64 sq. km. forest of Chanchai and Pania was Jagiri forest before its acquisition by the State Government. The area was notified as Sanctuary in the year 1989. Hills of Chanchai are high in north-west of Gir. Practically, Pania Wildlife Sanctuary is the extension of Gir Sanctuary. The lions freely move around the foothills in this area. The hilly and undulating tract renders the area suitability for Chinkara and with a view to emphasising conservation of this small antelope, the area has been declared as a separate sanctuary. The area provides ecological security and environmental amelioration to semi-arid area of Amreli district. The area has good number of grass species. However, the absence of natural water source is a limiting factor.
Gettind There
Accommodation
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Velavadar
(Black-Buck sanctuary)
White
Pelican, Montagu, Pallid Harriers, Marsh and other raptors including
the Greater Spotted Eagle, juvenile Imperial Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle,
Short-toed Snake Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard are also seen in
the park. During the rainy season the breeding of Lesser Florican
is seen largely in the park. Sarus cranes also regularly breed in
the park during the monsoon season. This place has earned popularity
as the largest roosting ground for four species of migratory harriers
in the entire world.
Pania
Wild Life Sanctuary
Amongst
the fauna of this area lion, leopard, hyena, wildcat, civet cat,
spotted deer, chinkara, bluebull, wild boar, four-homed antelope,
pangolin, python, peafowl, porcupine, desert cat and fox are the
major species. During the census of 1995, 5 lions, 134 spotted deer,
75 individuals of nilgai, 6 individuals of four-homed antelope,
19 individuals of chinkara and 2 wild boars were counted in this
area.