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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.

• National Park
  • Gir National Park

    Sprawling in an area of 1424 sq. kms., Gir with its dry deciduous forest is a luxuriantly rich ecosystem-endowed with floral and faunal plentitude. Thirty species of mammals, twenty species of reptiles, several species of insects and birds are found here. The forest is the only place in the world, outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat. Gir, the last refuge of the king of the jungle, is one of the largest and most important wildlife sanctuaries in India.

    The number of lions in Gir had dwindled to a mere 15 by the turn of the century, due to extensive trophy hunting. In the early 1900s the Nawab of Junagadh was advised by Lord Curzon to protect the remaining lions. The lion was declared a protected animal, although concerted conservation efforts started much later.

    In India the Lion population is spread across the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. But Gir is not just about Lions, the second most commonly found predator in the Gir is Leopard. Infact, Gir national park is also home to one of the largest Leopard populations in any park in India, and especially in the hotter season they can sometimes be seen at night close to the lodges.

    Other animal residents of the Gir national park are Sambar Deer, Chital Spotted Deer, Nilgai Antelope, Chowsingha Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild Boar, Langur Monkey, Jackal, and Hyena and numerous birds like Paradise Flycatcher, Bonneli's Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Woodpeckers Flamingo etc.

    Other Attractions
    Jeep Safari : The best way to observe the big cats is, of course, in their natural surroundings, at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl. Wildlife viewing in the Gir’s is best done, by driving via jeep around the forest.

    Best Time to Visit Gir Forest
    Wildlife enthusiasts can visit Gir park throughout the year, but the best period to visit the Gir Sanctuary is between the months of November and June.

    The forest also harbours a number of smaller birds and animals. Other predators are the panther and the hyena. The largest Indian deer, Sambhar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai (blue bull), Chinkara and the unique Chowsingha (four horned antelope) are found here along with the bear and the long tailed langur.

    Few people know that Gir is also one of the finest bird sanctuaries in India. Some of the typical birds of Gir are the crested serpent eagle, crested hawk eagle, brown fish owl, king vulture, jungle quail, paradise flycatcher, pygmy woodpecker, hard headed oriole etc. Adholia, Valadera, Ratanghuna and Pilipat are rewarding places for bird watching. Another attraction is a crocodile farm developed in the forest.

  • Black Duck National Park

    Blackbuck National Park Velavadar, in the Bhal region of Saurashtra is a unique grassland ecosystem that has attracted fame for the successful conservation of the blackbuck, the wold and the lesser florican. Once found in open plains throughout the country and the state of Gujarat, its largest population at present occurs in Velavadar 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 fours turns and are up to 70 cm long. The body's upper parts are black and the under parts and a ring around the eyes are white. The light brown female is usually hornless.

    Flat land, dry grasses and herds of antelopes always attracted visitors. Since my official visit to the Park in 1994 to initiate preparation of the first management plan, I did not miss an opportunity to visit the Park annually. I felt happy to see positive changes in habitat condition and wildlife in the Park, where developmental activities were implemented as per prescriptions in the plan, which happened to be finalised by me in 1995.

    Located seventy-two km away from Bhavnagar and spread over an area of 3,408 ha, Velavadar National Park was primarily a vidi (grassland) of the Maharaja of Bhavnagar. It has been classified as 4B Gujarat-Rajwada biotic province of semi-arid bio-geographical zone. On the southern border of the Park, is the high tidal zone of the Gulf of Khambhat, whereas wastelands and agriculture fields surround the other sides.

    The area was a private vidi (grassland) of the ex-princely state of Bhavnagar, which was subsequently declared as reserve forest and notified as National Park. About 1788.88 ha of area was declared as National Park in July 1976 and an area of 1622.23 ha was further added by notification in the year 1980. Today the total area under the National Park is 3408 ha. The settlement procedure has been completed.

    Due to the presence of the high tide zone of the Gulf of Khambhat on the southern side, a portion of the Park gets inundated with water. Its semi-arid conditions, together with this inundation of sea- water during monsoon, create habitats, on which depends varied fauna of the Park for survival. As per remote sensing study on habitat types, the Park area is classified as (i) (a) dense grassland -757 ha, (b) sparse grassland -991 ha, (ii) Prosopis shrubland-505 ha, (iii) Saline lands-513 ha, (iv) high tidal mudflats-508 ha.

  • Vansda National Park

    Lofty and luxuriant trees clothing the valleys and hills holding a wealth of wildlife, graceful streams celebrating the freedom to jump and dance, a variety of birds filling the forest with their melodious calls and among this picture of beauty the sight of a leopard adds a touch of excitement and adventure....Yes, Vansda National Park has it all to immerse you in nature's beauty and bliss.

    The area is bestowed with luxuriant moist deciduous forest with groves of 'Katas' bamboo and owes its beauty to no felling of trees since 1952.

    Established in 1979 and located in the Navsari District, Vansda National Park is a small but unique Protected Area. Nestled in the Western Ghats or Sahyadris it has a unique flora and fauna. Vansda lies close to the National Highway - 8 and is bisected by the Waghai-Vansda State Highway. It is about 45 km from Chikhii and 80 km from Valsad.

    "Once the Tiger roamed here, it preyed on Sambar and Spotted Deer; Its lush forests and bamboo brakes are home to a variety of insects, birds and snakes When it rains, it seems eternal filling the streams with gushing waters, reptiles crawl and frogs croak, while missing the lost otters; Vansda is indeed a paradise on seeing a Racket-tailed Drongo will you realise..."

  • Marine National Park

    A unique Marine eco-system is found in the Gulf of Kutch, (Jamnagar District), an area of 162.89 Sq. Km is declared as a Marine National Park and an area of 457.92 Sq. Km has been declared as a Marine Sanctuary. In all a total 931.33 Sq.Km of area including Mangrove forests is under the administration of Jamnagar Circle.

    The Gulf of Kutch on the west coast of India, in the State of Gujarat abounds in a variety of marine wealth. Mangrove, coral reefs. Sea grass & Sea weeds, sandy areas, mudflats, and other associated habitats, in the Gulf of Kutch support variety of marine flora and fauna. The area has excellent coral reefs, second to none in the country, though slightly over exploited it supports 37 species of hard & soft corals, 70 species of sponges, 150-200 species of fishes, 27 species of prawns.

    30 species of crabs more than 200 species of molluscs. 3 species of endangered sea turtle. 3 species of sea snakes. 3 species of sea mammal. 94 species of water birds. 78 species of terrestrial birds and 108 species of brown, green & red algae. Taking into consideration the presence of the flora and fauna, the Govt. of Gujarat has declared an area of 437.92 Sq. Km as a Marine Sanctuary by notification Dt. 12.8.1980 and further the area of 162.89 Sq.Km was declared as Marine National Park by notification Dt. 20.7.1982. Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has declared this Park as category-II area in the list of important national park of the world-" published by them.

• Wildlife Sanctuaries.

  • Gir Wildlife Sanctuaries

  • Wild Ass Sanctuaries

    Locally known as 'Ghud Khar' was once common in the North-western India. West Pakistan and South Iran. They are now found only in the Rann of Kachchh of Gujarat State. The Wild Ass falls in Family Equide which includes Horses, Zibras and Donkeys.

    Indian Wild Ass is one of the sturdiest animals in the world, withstanding scorching midday temperatures unto 45° C or more without any shelter in midst of the desert and facing long periods of drought as well as other calamities with relative ease, where others cannot survive. It has strength and speed of a horse and can run at speeds of 60 to 70 Km/hr. A mature beast stands 120 cms. in height and 210 cms. in length, weighing about 230 kgs. It possesses a shiny white coat with greyish-brown patches and a black or brown hairy stripe in the centre enhancing its beauty. They move about either singly or in herds (10 to 30) in search of fodder and sweet water, resting only in hot afternoon hours. They eat what they get, generally scrubby grass and pods of prosopis. The breeding season is August to October and after a gestation period of 11 Months, Only one young one is delivered which joins the herd in a very short time. The call of wild ass is shriller than that of domestic donkey. The life span is 20 to 25 years.

  • Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuaries

    When food and water are scarce in Nalsarovar, some birds go away for short periods to nearby areas and return to the lake after monsoon to a feast of fish and insects. These are the resident birds. The lake - Nalsarovar - and the wetlands around it were declared a bird sanctuary in 1969. Spread over 120 sq.kms, the lake and the extensive reed beds and marshes are an ideal habitat for aquatic plants and animals. The lake attracts a large variety of birds like plovers, sandpipers and stints.

    There are 360-odd islets in the lake. Most of them lie exposed when the water level is low. The lake gets filled with water that drains from the adjoining Surendranagar and Ahmedabad districts in the monsoon. With this fresh water inflow, brackishness in the lake is reduced considerably.

    The migratory birds arrive in vast numbers, homing in on the lake. There are flocks of pelicans, flamingoes, ducks, demoiselle cranes, common cranes, and several waders occupying huge patches of the lake during the season. With the approaching summer the lake water dries up making it brackish, and the fish and other insect life becomes scarce. The migratory birds and most of the resident birds, such as cormorants, grebes and openbill storks, begin to leave by April.

  • Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuaries

    Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary is a unique area in the country because the uncommon ecosystem in the arid zone supports 15 threatened species of wildlife belonging to Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Scrub and desert thorn forest interspersed with numerous seasonal water-bodies and grassy patches provide an ideal habitat for chinkara, caracal, ratel, wolf, desert cat, desert fox, great Indian bustard, lesser florican and a variety of waterfowl. Some of the species of semi-desert habitat, which are recorded in this region, are not common in other areas in the country.

    Forests in this dry zone have started degrading due to expansion of desert and progress of the process of desertification. The Sanctuary is considered important ecological unit for maintaining environmental and ecological stability. The area has a very high conservation value for scientific research.

    The multistoried forest provides a suitable habitat for variety of birds ranging from land birds to water birds. As per the IUCN classification many rare and endangered species of birds are also found in this sanctuary. The reptiles include snakes, tortoises and lizards of various types. The rarest Indian Python is observed beyond Muni ji ki kutia.

  • Barda Wildlife Sanctuaries

    The Sanctuary hardly has 192.31 sq. km area, but has one of the most diverse floral compositions and therefore a potential source of remedies of many ailments, Barda indeed is borrowed from our children and therefore deserves to be safeguarded for them. The terrain of Barda is almost hilly and undulating with an altitude ranging from 79.2 m to 617.8 m. above mean sea level. At places, there are gentle slopes with exposed rocks. The two main ephemeral rivers are Bileshvary and Joghri. Khambala and Fodara are important dams in the Sanctuary.

  • Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuaries

    The Sanctuary is situated in Jasdan taluka of Rajkot district. The state highway passes through the middle of the Sanctuary and divides it into almost two equal halves. The Sanctuary is at a distance of 180 km from Ahmedabad, on Ahmedabad-Jasdan state highway. Botad is the nearest railway station and is about 45 km away from the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is 17 km away from Jasdan in south and about 8 km away from Vinchhiya in the north.

  • Marine Sanctuaries

  • Narayan Sarovar Sanctuaries

    Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary is a unique area in the country because the uncommon ecosystem in the arid zone supports 15 threatened species of wildlife belonging to Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Scrub and desert thorn forest interspersed with numerous seasonal water-bodies and grassy patches provide an ideal habitat for chinkara, caracal, ratel, wolf, desert cat, desert fox, great Indian bustard, lesser florican and a variety of waterfowl.

    Some of the species of semi-desert habitat, which are recorded in this region, are not common in other areas in the country. Forests in this dry zone have started degrading due to expansion of desert and progress of the process of desertification. The Sanctuary is considered important ecological unit for maintaining environmental and ecological stability. The area has a very high conservation value for scientific research.

  • Khijadia Bird Sanctuaries

    In May 1981, revenue wasteland of the lake covering an area of 182.9 ha was declared as Sanctuary under section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and again in November 1981 another area of 421.96 ha was added to it. Today, the total area of the Sanctuary is 605 ha, which covers three freshwater lakes of the entire wetland complex. Area of the Marine Sanctuary (Jamnagar) constitutes the boundary of the Sanctuary towards the Gulf of Kutch.

    There exist two reclamation bunds in the Sanctuary, which were constructed by the ex-ruler of Jamnagar State to restrict freshwater flow of small rivers and salt water inflow during high tides. Before construction of the reclamation bunds prior to independence, part of the Sanctuary was intertidal zone of the Gulf of Kutch. The Sanctuary area is just above high tide level because tidal water reaches up to boundary of the Sanctuary. The boundary of Marine Sanctuary extends in the fresh water lake area of Khijadia.

  • Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuaries

    About 55.65 sq. km area of the Sanctuary is a triangular landmass, which covers reserve forests of 11 villages. Forest originally belonged to ex-ruler of Devgadh Baria State. Eleven villages with population of about 7000 are located in and around the Sanctuary and 41 villages are located in its interaction zone. An area of 150 ha is in possession of irrigation department. Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh constitutes boundary in south and east of the Sanctuary, whereas forests in west, and revenue areas in north surround the Sanctuary.

  • Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuaries

    The Great Rann, a part of the Rann of Kutch, is a salt-impregnated wilderness region having an area of about 16000 sq. kIn. Its average altitude is 15 m above Mean Sea Level (MSL). The area encompassed by the Sanctuary is characterised by vast, salt-impregnated sun-baked mud flats, which are dotted with small patches of uplands and few hilly islands (locally called 'bets'). Though the Great Rann is similar to the Little Rann in several ways, the former differs in its silt deposition characteristics. Thus, the silt of the Great Rann has been the deposit of the Indus River, unlike that of the Little Rann, which shows strong affinity to the material that was derived from the local sources of Gujarat.

    The Great Rann owes its origin to a marine transgression. Waters of the Arabian Sea enter the Rann through the Kori creek. The gradual regression of the sea level is clearly shown by the presence. of marine calcareous grit and oyster bed as also by the swash marks and water line at the height of several meters from the present water level at one of the hilly islands within the Great Rann. During the Mesozoic period (65-60 million years ago), the Great Rann was a part of the Arabian Sea. However, when Alexander the Great visited the area in 325 B. C. the Rann was no longer an arm of the sea, but it was a navigable lake. It was a shallow lagoon during the 3rd century A. D.

    The Great Rann has been tectonically unstable since a long time. Tectonism was effective till as late as 1819, when a major earthquake destroyed the Indus River connection with Kori creek. The earthquake also gave rise to the 'Allah Band's linear mound-like formation, about 5-10 m high and 50 km long.

  • Gaga Wildlife Sanctuaries

    The Gaga Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary is situated on the coast of the Gulf of Kutch, where the high tidal zone constitutes the boundary in the north. The cultivated fields and wastelands surround the Sanctuary. It covers an area of 332.87 ha of Gaga village of Kalyanpur taluka in Jamnagar district. It includes two plots of land (having different survey numbers) separated by agriculture land and wasteland in between. The Sanctuary was notified under the Section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

  • Rampara Wildlife Sanctuaries

    It may be interesting to know that the area was managed as a 'vidi' (grassland) in the past and it was annually producing over 4 lakh kg of grass to meet the requirement during scarcity. After reaching to this Sanctuary an eco-tourist finds himself amidst a compact woodland spread over 1501 ha area. He would notice that the terrain is plain in the middle of the Sanctuary and undulating elsewhere, excepting hillocks on the periphery.

    One would also see two streams (locally called 'Vaghrigalo vonklo' and 'Pat a gala vanklo'), which drain the watershed of important river of Saurashtra - the Machchhu. There is a watch-tower' on a barren mound, more or less in the central portion of the Sanctuary (slightly towards eastern periphery). From this watchtower, an eco-tourist would have a pleasing experience of getting a bird eye view of the entire sanctuary. Tar roads surround the Sanctuary on three sides, just 5 to 10 km away from the boundary.

    One of the major conservation values of the Sanctuary is that this small area is the largest wooded forest in Central Saurashtra (Rajkot). The area is an important forest for the preservation of over 280 species of plants, over 130 species of birds, over 20 species of mammals, over 20 species of reptiles and several species of amphibians and invertebrates. It is also an important site of natural beauty with hills, plains, grasslands and forest area. In short, the Sanctuary has adequate ecological, faunal, geomorphological, zoological, natural and aesthetic significance.

  • Thol Wildlife Sanctuaries

    'Thol is a shallow water reservoir having water storage capacity of 84 MCM. It is predominated by open water area, but lacks islands, reed bed (emergent aquatic plants) or prominent shore land. Thol is a man-made irrigation tank having command area of 1450 ha and catchment area of 153 sq. km. This is a shallow wetland on Government wasteland, with less habitat diversity. The wetland is predominated by the open water habitat, which is surrounded by cropland, fallow land and scrub land.

  • Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuaries

    The forests are some of the best and the densest in the State and are known for richness of biodiversity. The sightings of various bird species, which have more affinities with Himalayan and Western Ghat, have unfolded a hitherto unknown, but interesting aspect of the area. Moist deciduous forests have very high scenic and aesthetic values. The flora of the ecosystem represents remnants of semi-evergreen to moist deciduous forest. Much of the vegetation is modified due to influence of the biotic pressure and forestry operations.

  • Porbandar Bird Sanctuaries

    The area was taken over by the Forest Department from the Porbandar Municipality on 26.7.1990, and the Sanctuary was notified by the State Government under section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Sanctuary was declared on the basis of recommendations made by Mr. Peter Jackson, a naturalist of an international repute, who visited Porbandar in 1981. This is the smallest bird Sanctuary of Gujarat, having an area of 9.33 ha. It covers a fresh water lake, which receives water from city's gutters in addition to the rains.

  • Pania Wildlife Sanctuaries

    The lions freely move around the foothills in this area also. 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.

  • Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuaries

    The forests of the sanctuary play an important role in conserving the depleting eco-system of Aravalis and in controlling the southward expansion of Thar desert. The forest areas, interspersed with numerous hills and hillocks form the watershed for Dantiwada and Dharoi dams of north Gujarat. It also constitutes part of the catchment areas of Sabarmati and Banas, which are two important rivers of north Gujarat. The ecological boundaries of the sanctuary get amalgamated with forests of Rajasthan State in the north and spreads into agricultural fields all around providing ecological security and ameliorated environment to the semi arid region of North Gujarat which is threatened by expanding desert.

  • Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuaries

    This is one of the good forest areas in Chhotaudepur division. It is also an important area for nature education and environmental awareness camps. The forest plays important ecological and hydrological roles of constituting catchment of small rivers, preventing soil erosion and maintaining health of the watershed. It also plays socio-economic role by satisfying basic needs of tribal communities living in and around the Sanctuary. Local tribals collect minor forest produce from the area for their livelihood.

    This is one of the good forest areas in Chhotaudepur division. It is also an important area for nature education and environmental awareness camps. The forest plays important ecological and hydrological roles of constituting catchment of small rivers, preventing soil erosion and maintaining health of the watershed. It also plays socio-economic role by satisfying basic needs of tribal communities living in and around the Sanctuary. Local tribals collect minor forest produce from the area for their livelihood.

  • Purna Wildlife Sanctuaries

    Purna is a Sanctuary, where luxuriant dense forests with thick bamboo brakes enchant visitors. People get surprised to see such pristine forests in the area, which happens to be an extension of the Western Ghats. For an eco-tourist wanting to enjoy birds of moist deciduous forest mixed with bamboo, this is the best place to visit. The Sanctuary is a part of forests in northern part of the Dangs district in South Gujarat. The area covering 160.8 sq. km is a reserved forest, which has been notified as Sanctuary in July 1990.

    Purna Sanctuary is a part of dense moist deciduous forests in Western Ghat of Gujarat and supports gamut of flora and fauna of very high evolutionary value. The Sanctuary, along with Vansda National Park, is the only Protected Area in South Gujarat for conserving diverse biological resources. Wildbulls, elephants Sloth bear and rhinoceros also roamed in this forest-tract during historic past (Mugal Period). Forests of this region satisfy material and cultural needs of local tribals and maintain ecological stability of the area.

  • Kutch Bustard Sanctuaries

    This is a small area of just 2 sq. km, pulsating with avifaunal and mammalian life of the grassland habitat. This protected pocket, located in the vast tract of grassland ecosystem of Abdasa taluka, was established in 1992. It is situated near Nalia and covers the forest area of Jakhau and Budia villages.

    The area is ideal for those wanting to see Great Indian Bustard in Gujarat. However, by no means is the area only for this endangered bird. An eco-tourist having interest in the whole spectrum of grassland fauna would find it a little paradise. Kutch Bustard Sanctuary provides food and shelter to an endangered bird of the Indian subcontinent-the Great Indian Bustard. In recent times, when this bustard has been almost wiped out from entire Gujarat, the significance of this place has been highlighted, at least for the state. The Sanctuary gets high conservation value for many other reasons also.

    It is an area where species like lesser florican, chinkara and wolf inhabit; all of which are considered threatened in one or the other ways [IUCN criteria or Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972]. Also owing to the presence of black partridge, the importance of the PA is hightened. This is a grassland habitat with sparse vegetation of bushy Zyziphus sp. The entire Sanctuary is predominated by this single habitat.