The state of Gujarat is located in the western part of India. It has the Great Rann of Kutch, hills, historic forts and palaces. These, along with museums, temples, fauna and flora, fairs and festivals and folk arts draw a plethora of tourists to this state. Gujarat is also blessed with National Parks, which serves the purpose of protecting wildlife in the state.
Gir Forest National Park
Gir Forest National Park is situated near Talala Gir, in Junagadh district, Gir Somnath district and Amreli district. It was established in the year 1965. An area of about 1,412 square kilometers is dedicated to this national park. This park serves as a home to about 38 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles, more than 2,000 species of insects, more than 400 plant species, etc.
There are about 300 water points available to different species in the park. When the park area experiences poor rainfall, it leads to lack of surface water at most of the water points. This is a serious problem experienced in the National Park.
Marine National Park
Marine National Park is situated on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch in the Devbhumi Dwarka District. It was established in the year 1982 and is spread over an area of about 162.89 square kilometers. This park is adorned with 42 islands on the Jamnagar coast. About 70 species of sponges, 52 species of corals, fishes, whales, sea turtles, octopus, etc are housed in Marine National Park. Extraction of corals and sands by cement industries, increased turbidity of water, oil refineries, chemical industries and mechanized fishing boats pose a threat to the ecosystem of Marine National Park.
Vansda National Park
Vansda National Park is situated in Navsari district. It is a deciduous forest area, which was established in the year 1979. Leopards, rhesus macaque, common palm civet, Hanuman langur are the significant animals of this national park. This park also provides protection to about 443 species of flowering plants. This national park is adorned with the groves of "Katas" bamboo. Its existence in the area is attributed to "no felling of trees" since 1952.
Blackbuck National Park
Blackbuck National Park is located in Bhavnagar district. It was established in the year 1976 and occupies an area of about 34.08 square kilometers. The main carnivores receiving shelter in this park are blackbucks, wolves, macqueen`s bustards, hyenas, lesser floricans, etc. Birds have also been traced here, like sandgrouse and larks.
