National Parks in Gujarat - UPSC Current Affairs

Gujarat is home to 4 national parks that showcase the region’s diverse flora and fauna.

Contents

1. Gir National Park

Gir National Park is also known as Sasan Gir.
It is famous for its last natural habitat of the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) in India.
The park is located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat in India.
It is situated in the southwestern part of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat in the foothills of the Girnar range.
In 1965, Gir National Park was established as a wildlife sanctuary.
In 1975, Gir Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a national park.
Area: It covers an area of approximately 1412 square kilometers (545 square miles).
Hills: The Gir Range, Kankai Mata hills and Tulsi Shyam Hill is located in the Gir National Park.
River: Following rivers flow through Gir National Park:
- Hiran
- Machhundri
- Shingada
- Godavari
- Datardi
- Raval
- Shetrunji
Kamleshwar Dam is located near the Gir National Park. The dam is built on the Hiran River.
Tribe: The Maldhari community traditionally resides in and around the Gir Forest region of Gujarat, India.
Flora: Teak, Dhak or Flame of the Forest, Jamun, Ber, Babul, Banyan, Neem, Tendu, Indian Gooseberry, Kadam, Grasses and Shrubs.
Fauna: Asiatic Lions, Leopards, Sambar Deer, Chital, Striped Hyena, White-backed Vulture, long-billed vulture, Palla’s Fish Eagle,Marsh Crocodile, King Kobra, Russell’s Viper, Star Tortoise, Soft-shelled Turtle etc.
It is also houses a crocodile breeding center.

Blackbuck National Park is also known as Velavadar National Park.
It is located at Velavadar in the Bhavnagar District of Gujarat, India.
It is situated in the Bhal region of Saurashtra.
Earlier period, It served as a “vidi” (grassland) that belonged to the maharaja of the princely state of Bhavnagar in Gujarat.
In 1972, it was officially designated as a wildlife sanctuary to provide enhanced protection for the blackbuck species.
In 1976, the area was formally established as Blackbuck National Park.
Area: It is spread over an area of approximately 34 square kilometers.
River: Parvalia and Alang river passes through the park.
Flora: The park’s flora is primarily composed of dry grasses (60%), shrubs (15%) and thorny bushes.
Fauna: Blackbucks, Wolves, Hyenas, Wild Boar, Jackals, Lesser Floricans, Macqueen’s Bustards, Houbara Bustard, Indian Cobra. Russell’s Viper, Saw-scaled Viper etc.

It is the first Marine National Park in India.
The park is famous for the endangered dugong (sea cow).
The park is also home to the Kharai camel.
It is located in the Gulf of Kutch, along the western coast of India, in the state of Gujarat, specifically in the Jamnagar district.
It is situated on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch.
In 1980, Gulf of Kutch, an area of 270 square kilometers from Okha to Jodiya was designated as a Marine Sanctuary.
In 1982, a core area of 110 square kilometers within the Marine Sanctuary was designated as the Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park.
Area: Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park covers an area of 162.89 square kilometers, which includes 42 islands and the surrounding sea.
River: The Sang river passes through the park.
Flora: Mangroves, Coral Reefs, Saline Grasslands, Algae and Seagrass etc.
Fauna: Dugong, dolphins, whales, sea anemones, jellyfishes, sea horse, octopus, pearl oyster, sea turtles, and fish.

Vansda National Park is also known as Bansda National Park.
It is located in the Vansda tehsil, Navsari District of Gujarat state, India.
In 1942, it was declared as a reserved forest under the British government’s Forest Act.
In 1959, the area was declared a wildlife sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act of India.
In 1979, it was declared a national park.
Area: It covers an area of approximately 24.32 square kilometers (9.4 square miles).
River: Ambika river passes through the park.
Tribe: The park is home to several tribal communities, with the Dangi tribe being the most prominent.
Flora: Teak, Bamboo, Kakad, Khakhro, Timru, Haldu, Sisam, Kusum, Asan, Behda, Ambla etc.
Fauna: Leopard, Wild Boar, Hanuman Langur, Common Palm Civet, Indian Porcupine, Four-horned Antelope, Barking Deer, Hyena, Indian Great Black Woodpecker, Common Grey Hornbill, Forest Spotted Owlet, Russell’s Viper, Saw-scaled Viper, Common Krait etc.