<Next Page>

Gujarat is a unique state that has many kinds of habitats. These varied landforms include dry deciduous forests, majestic grasslands, wetlands, marine ecosystems and rich moist deciduous forests. These habitats are home to some extremely rare wildlife. The Asiatic Lion is found only in Gir. The Wild Ass in the Rann of Kutch, the rare great Indian bustard in the bird reserves, the world's only four-horned antelope and the Black Buck are some other valued species protected in Gujarat. The dugong and the rare boralia species also find a safe haven here.

Just 65 kms. Southwest of Ahmedabad, is the delightful bird sanctuary of Nalsarovar nestling around the Nal Lake, extending over 11,500 hectares. Established in 1969 A.D., it is known to harbour over 250 species of wetland birds. Nalsarovar sees winter migrants from the north that includes Rosy Pelicans, Flamingoes, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks and Herons.

A pair of binoculars and a person well-versed in the local bird life will surely make it one of your best outings. Visitors are ferried in small boats to experience a sunrise or sunset while gliding gently through the silent waters.

How to get there:

Air and Rail: The nearest airport and railway station are at Ahmedabad, 65 kms. away.
 
Road: Nalsarovar can be easily accessed from Ahmedabad by state and private buses. 

Accommodation: Forest Rest House at Nalsarovar. 

Palace Utelia at Utelia (approx. 10 kms.) - Tel.: 079-6445770.

Located in the Banaskantha district, 35 kms. from Palanpur, and 40 kms from Ambaji, the Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary is a safe haven of the sloth bear one of the most peculiar bear species. Unlike most other species that tend to be aloof and prefer to live alone, the sloth bear prefers to live in a community. The male of the species plays an important part in raising their offspring a trait not visible amongst the other species.

Other wildlife found there are leopards, sambar (deer), Nilgai (blue bull), wild boar, porcupine and a variety of birds. 

How to get there:

Air :The nearest airport is 190 kms. away at Ahmedabad. 
Rail: The nearest railway stations are at Palanpur (35 kms.) and Iqbalgadh (8 kms.). 
Accommodation: Balram Palace, 20kms. from Jessore - Tel.: 02742-84336
Darbargadh Palace, Poshina - Tel.: 079-5506590.

The sanctuary is in the Mehsana district, 40kms. from Ahmedabad. Occupying an area of approximately 7sq. kms. It is home to a rich variety of wildfowl, flamingos, gray pelicans, black ibis and other wetland birds.

How to get there:
Air: The nearest airport is at Ahmedabad, 40kms. away. 
Rail: The closest railway station is at Ahmedabad.

This is the home of the Indian black buck.Velavadar in the Bhal region of Saurashtra is a unique grassland ecosystem that has attracted fame for the successful conservation of the black buck - the fastest of the Indian antelopes, the wolf and the lesser florican.

Once found in open plains throughout the country and the state of Gujarat, its largest population at present occurs in Velvadar National Park. This exclusively Indian animal is perhaps the most graceful and beautiful of its kind. It has ringed horns that have a spiral twist of three to four turns and are upto 70 cm long. The body's upper parts are black and the underparts and a ring around the eyes are white. The female, light brown in colour is usually hornless.

The fastest of the Indian antelopes, they move off in a series of amazing leaps and bounds when threatened and then break into a lightening run.

A word of praise would not be out of place for the Kathi community who like the Bishnoi community have protected the black buck with vigour and zeal as it is associated with their past history of valour and religious practices.

How to get there: 
It is situated 50 kms. north of Bhavnagar. The nearest air and rail connection is at Bhavnagar.

Accommodation: Tourist Lodge at the Park, (advance notice needed).

At Bhavnagar:
Nilambagh Palace - Tel.: 0278-424241
Hotel Blue Hill - Tel.: 0278-26951
Palace Utelia - Tel.: 079-6445770.

Gujarat has the distinction of creating the country's first Marine National Park spread over an area of nearly 458 sq kms in the Gulf of Kutch, 30 kms. from Jamnagar. Here corals create fantasies in stone and are the master builders of the Park. Their limestone fortresses - each one the work of a colony of countless tiny animals - come in an amazing variety of shapes and sizes, from the convoluted brain coral to corals that look like horns. 

Turtles, shrimp, sponge, eels, sea urchin lurk among the corals and huge schools of fish create a brilliance of colours that are unknown, unseen and unimaginable. Here you can see dolphins and octopuses.

Dugong, a marine mammal, which resembles a seal and the rare Boralia species are found in these protected areas.

The park has dense mangrove growth, which provides scores of birds with nesting and roosting sites.

<Next Page>