Established in 1976 in the Bhal region of Saurashtra, the park is located around 42 km from the district headquarters city of Bhavnagar. Hugging the coasts of the Gulf of Khambhat on the south, it is spread over an area of 34.08 km2, which was primarily a "vidi" (grassland) of the maharaja of the princely state of Bhavnagar for hunting the blackbucks with his famous hunting cheetahs. On the northern side, it is surrounded by wastelands and agriculture fields. The national park has been classified as 4B Gujarat-Rajwada biotic province of semi-arid bio-geographical zone.
Flat land, dry grasses and herds of antelope have always attracted visitors to this park which has a grassland ecosystem. Successful conservation programs for the blackbuck, wolf and lesser florican (a bustard) are ongoing. Considered to be an endemic Indian species, the lesser florican, which once lived throughout the country, has become endangered in recent decades. Today, the largest population is in this park. Local wolf numbers are increasing, as are striped hyena, with sightings quite frequent during daylight in winter 2012-2013.
In July 1976, when the park was established, the initial protected area measured about 18 km2. In 1980, another 16 km2 were added, increasing the total area to 34.08 km2.
A southern portion of the park, which adjoins the Gulf of Khambhat, is in the Gulf's high tide zone and gets inundated with water. However, its semi-arid conditions, together with this inundation of seawater during monsoon, creates habitats suitable for various dependent fauna of the park.
According to a remote sensing study of habitat types, the park area is classified as follows:
Striped Hyena at Velavadar Blackbuck National Park
Blackbuck antelopes crossing a dirt road
Short-toed snake eagle
Indian Wolf at Velavadar (Blackbuck National Park, Gujarat)
Two female nilgais
Male nilgai at Blackbuck National Park
Tourist information
Though the park is open most of the year, it remains strictly closed in monsoon from 15 June to 15 October: this is breeding season for blackbuck and very important species like the lesser florican, the smallest bustard. The period from late October to the end of March is recommended for visitors. The best time to visit is from December to March as many species of migratory, including three species of harriers, the lesser florican, eagles and waders, migrate back.
^Washington, Washington, Booker T. (29 June 2020). Up from slavery. ISBN978-1-7225-2518-7. OCLC 1158613536.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar.
Gujarat Tourism:
More photos of Blackbuck National Park
Blackbuck_National_Park travel guide from Wikivoyage
August 18, 2023
blackbuck, national, park, velavadar, blackbuck, national, park, national, park, india, located, velavadar, bhavnagar, district, gujarat, state, india, blackbuck, national, parkiucn, category, national, park, blackbuck, stag, grasslands, national, parklocation. Blackbuck National Park is a national park in India located at Velavadar in the Bhavnagar District of Gujarat state India Blackbuck National ParkIUCN category II national park A blackbuck stag at the grasslands of the national parkLocationBhavnagar District Gujarat IndiaCoordinates22 02 N 72 03 E 22 033 N 72 050 E 22 033 72 050Area34 08 km2 13 16 sq mi Established1976Governing bodyForest Department of GujaratEstablished in 1976 in the Bhal region of Saurashtra the park is located around 42 km from the district headquarters city of Bhavnagar Hugging the coasts of the Gulf of Khambhat on the south it is spread over an area of 34 08 km2 which was primarily a vidi grassland of the maharaja of the princely state of Bhavnagar for hunting the blackbucks with his famous hunting cheetahs On the northern side it is surrounded by wastelands and agriculture fields The national park has been classified as 4B Gujarat Rajwada biotic province of semi arid bio geographical zone Flat land dry grasses and herds of antelope have always attracted visitors to this park which has a grassland ecosystem Successful conservation programs for the blackbuck wolf and lesser florican a bustard are ongoing Considered to be an endemic Indian species the lesser florican which once lived throughout the country has become endangered in recent decades Today the largest population is in this park Local wolf numbers are increasing as are striped hyena with sightings quite frequent during daylight in winter 2012 2013 Contents 1 Geography 2 Wildlife of Velvadar National Park 3 Gallery 4 Tourist information 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksGeography Edit Map of Velavadar National ParkIn July 1976 when the park was established the initial protected area measured about 18 km2 In 1980 another 16 km2 were added increasing the total area to 34 08 km2 A southern portion of the park which adjoins the Gulf of Khambhat is in the Gulf s high tide zone and gets inundated with water However its semi arid conditions together with this inundation of seawater during monsoon creates habitats suitable for various dependent fauna of the park According to a remote sensing study of habitat types the park area is classified as follows 7 57 km2 of dense grassland 9 91 km2 of sparse grassland 5 05 km2 of Prosopis shrubland 5 13 km2 of saline land 5 08 km2 of high tidal mudflatsThe mudflats are the high tide zones of Gulf of Khambhat and the lower part is prone to flooding Wildlife of Velvadar National Park EditThere several species of mammals recorded from the National Park apart from large groups of Blackbuck Indian Wolf Striped Hyena Indian Fox Golden Jackal and Jungle cat are the main carnivores of the Park Other mammalian species include Bluebull Wild feral pig Indian Hare and several species of rodents Among birds Lesser Florican A monsoon breeding migrant is the main attraction of the National Park Apart from Lesser Florican Velavadar Grasslands are one of the largest roosting grounds of and three species of migratory Harriers Viz Marsh Harrier Pallid Harrier and Montagu s Harrier Congregation of Harriers during late evening hours is the main attraction of the Park during winters Apart from these several species of grassland birds viz Sandgrouse Lark and passerines are also abundant in the Park 1 According to Roger Geoffrey Clarke the British harrier expert the harrier roost found at the park is one of the largest in the world Gallery Edit Male and female blackbucks Blackbuck antelopes Striped Hyena at Velavadar Blackbuck National Park Blackbuck antelopes crossing a dirt road Short toed snake eagle Indian Wolf at Velavadar Blackbuck National Park Gujarat Two female nilgais Male nilgai at Blackbuck National ParkTourist information EditThough the park is open most of the year it remains strictly closed in monsoon from 15 June to 15 October this is breeding season for blackbuck and very important species like the lesser florican the smallest bustard The period from late October to the end of March is recommended for visitors The best time to visit is from December to March as many species of migratory including three species of harriers the lesser florican eagles and waders migrate back Bhavnagar Airport is connected with Mumbai by daily flights The closest international airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport Ahmedabad at 153 km by road The closest railway station is at the town of Dhola Junction 30 km followed by Bhavnagar Terminus which is 45 km from the park The ancient town of Vallabhi is about 30 km away See also EditArid Forest Research Institute List of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat IndiaReferences Edit Washington Washington Booker T 29 June 2020 Up from slavery ISBN 978 1 7225 2518 7 OCLC 1158613536 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blackbuck National Park Velavadar Gujarat Tourism Blackbuck National Park More photos of Blackbuck National Park Blackbuck National Park travel guide from Wikivoyage Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Blackbuck National Park Velavadar amp oldid 1163186951, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
