Gujarat: Wildlife
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Wildlife parks and sanctuaries: India
GIR LION SANCTUARY
Gir forest is synonymous with the Asiatic Lion as it is the only hope for this majestic species. The Gir sanctuary with an area of over 1400 sq.km. is situated in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Primarily Gir is an open forest and is classified as mixed deciduous with a wide variety of grasses that provide for all the herbivores. Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Fourhorned antelope, Chinkara, etc. are some of the mammals found here.
A visit to this sanctuary provides a lifetime experience to watch majestic lions in the wild. Despite all efforts to save them, innumerable problems facing these beleaguered population always raises a question mark on their survival. The sanctuary is open between November and May and the sighting of Lions is good during dry seasons as they remain in close proximity to the water source. A visit to the Kamleshwar Lake will provide an opportunity to see marsh crocodiles.
Location: Saurashtra region
Best time to visit: December to Mid June (closed during monsoon till mid October)
Habitat: Dark green woods
Area: 1412.13 sq. kms
Access
Nearest Airport Keshod (86 kms) is the Nearest Railway Station Sasan Gir (1 km) By Road Regular bus services from Junagarh (127kms) and Veraval (43kms)
Accommodation
Lion Safari Lodge Saurashtra Safari Gir Jungle Camp
Contact
Conservator of Forests Sardar Baug, Junagadh, Gujarat 362 001
WILD ASS SANCTUARY
The Indian Wild Ass is a sturdy animal capable of running at unbelievable speed of more than 100 kms per hour. This is the only place other than Ladakh, where another race of wild ass is found. The other variety of wildlife found here includes the wolf, nilgai, chinkara, black buck, fox and jackal.
Location: Little Rann of Kutch, Sundranagar Distt., Gujarat
Area: 4841 sq. km
Best time to visit: January to mid June
Access
By Air Ahmedabad (156 km) By Rail Dhrangadhra (25 km, Bajana (10 km)
NALSAROVAR BIRD SANCTUARY
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary has a lake and marshes which harbours a large number of birds primarily flamingoes, pelicans, ducks, geese, cranes, strokes, ibises, spoon bills, kingfishers, eagles, harriers and falcons. The area is a unique wetland harbouring a variety of habitats including reed beds, marsh land, open water and contains floating as well as submerged vegetation. Many species of aquatic plants are found here.
Location: Sundernagar district
Season November to February the lake is teeming with migratory water fowl.
Access
By Air/Road/Rail: Ahmedabad (54 kms)
MARINE NATIONAL PARK AND SANCTUARY
The park is justly famous for its living coral reefs which are the only ones along the Western coast of India, except Lakshadweep. There are about 40 species of corals Nearly 130 species of marine algae (seaweeds) and hundred of varities of shells, jelly fishes, sea anemones, crabs, prawns, star fishes, fishes, birds and turtles. One may sight the playful Dolphine too. Mangroves has nearly disappeared from most parts, but remnants can still be seen at places.
Location Spread along the coastline from Okha to Jodia the Gulf of Kutch in the Jamnagar district, covering the 40 odd islands in the Gulf.
Best Season November to March
Access
By Air/Rail/Road Jamnagar (30 kms)
VELAVADAR BLACKBUCK NATIONAL PARK
Located in the Bhall region of Gujarat, this small sanctuary is a unique grassland ecosystem reminding one of the vast African plains. Known for the single largest population of blackbuck in the country, Velavadar also harbours wolf, nilgai, jackal and fox. A heaven for bird watchers, this is a paradise for the birds of pray, especially harriers. Lesser florican breeds here and the grasslands are home to other variety of smaller creatures too. There are patches of Gando Baval (Mesquite).
Location North of Bhavnagar near Vallabhipur off the Ahmedabad Bhavnagar Highway
Best Season October to March
Access
By Air/Rail/Road: Bhavnagar (65 kms)
LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY
WILDLIFE SAFARI
Remote and strange could best sum up this unique experience. This region remains unsurpassed in terms of beauty, exuberance and colour that no one with a taste for adventure, excitement and the exotic would like to miss.
Gujarat/Island Trail
The Safari starts from Ahmedabad. Evening jeep drive across the Rann of Kutch in open desert plains or optional excursion to the Modhera sun temple.
Overnight safari camp to Kharaghoda and continue to Bajana creek, where one can enjoy watching huge flocks of flamingoes, pelicans, cranes, storks and other attractive birds. Proceed through desert scrublands and salt plains the last stronghold of the Asiatic Onager (Wild Ass) in the Indian lowlands to the Dehgam village. The village has a variety of attractive dwelling from the picturesque kooba huts of the Bajania nomads to pastoral houses ornamented with mirror inlays and embroideries. Continue trekking /riding to Bardala, which loeads through some interesting grasslands inhabited by blue bull, wolf, desert fox, Indian fox and Desert hare. Proceed to Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary for a country boat excursion among thousands of colourful birds. Proceed to Okha. Travel in motor boats to Danni Pt. Cruise to another island, with excellent coral reef formation, mangrove swamp forests white sanded beaches and fishing people. Cruise to the most scenic island, selected from a group of 42. Among the marine life present there are 200 species of molluscs (conch shell, sea hare, octopus), echinoderms (star fish, brittle star, sea urchin etc), 150 species of reef fish (puffer or reef joker, butterfly, parrot etc) and one of the world's largest congregations of shore birds. It is also worth watching for dolphins, finless tortoise and green sea turtles. After the night stay at Junagarh the trail continues to Junagarh and witnesses the 3rd to 5th century Buddhist caves, Rang Mahal Palace, the silver doored Maqbara royal mausoleum and the spiral staircased minarets. Descend through spectacular wooded valleys for the night halt. Next day continue the trip to Sasan Gir and drive in search of the Asiatic Lion and other endangered wildlife at Gir Lion Sanctuary. The Safari trails back to Ahmedabad on the same or diverted path.
Redrawing boundaries of sanctuaries
Himanshu Kaushik, Gujarat govt to cut buffer around 19 sanctuaries, Dec 22, 2016, The Times of India
The Gujarat government has started redefining the contours of its eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) around 19 sanctuaries and national parks to a bare minimum, even as conservationists termed the move a "disaster in the making".
When contacted, state environment and forest minister Ganpat Vasava said, "We are revising the ESZ for all sanctuaries that are yet to be cleared as there are a lot of representations from local people."
Almost a month ago, proposals sent to the ESZ authority of the union government for finalising the boundaries of 14 sanctuaries were put on hold by Gujarat so that the ESZs could be shrunk to a minimum of 1km. A reluctant forest department has blamed political pressure for the development. "The forest department has been asked to further shrink the ESZ boundaries of Shoolpaneshwar, Vansda, Girnar and Purna to less than 1 km, though these have already been notified by the Centre. The BJP leadership is prepared to even pass a bill to make the changes, if required," an official said. Sources said the owners of private land in the vicinity and political expediency ahead of assembly elections due next year have compelled Gujarat government to take such a decision. Of the 26 sanctuaries, ESZs of seven have been cleared and these range from zero to 7 km. Of the remaining 19 which are yet to be cleared, 14, including Gir and Velavadar national parks, are pending approval and have been recalled for revision, while five are still pending at the draft stage with the state government.
The government is not planning to alter the ESZ of Thol, Marine National Park and Narayan Sarovar. Of the 14 ESZs pending approval, the government had requested the Centre in October to defer ESZ for Velavadar national park and Barda sanctuary citing the many objections received from local stakeholders. Chief minister Vijay Rupani, during a recent meeting with the Union MoS of environment, forest and climate change, had raised a number of issues, including the need for providing infrastructure facilities, like drinking water, electricity and gas pipelines through the already notified ESZs.
Former director of Bombay Natural History Society Asad Rahmani said, "The ESZ should be decided on the ecology of the area and not on politics. But, unfortunately . it is other way round in Gujarat. The government should restrain from reviewing decisions which have been taken on technical grounds." Y V Jhala of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) said, "If the ESZ is reduced to less than a km, including that of Gir, it will not serve any purpose. WII is reviewing each ESZ proposal and I feel that Gujarat had done good work, especially for Gir sanctuary . However, if the government is all set to change it, IT would lose its credibility ."
