Gir | Little Rann of Kutch | Marine National Park | Velavadar

Perhaps,  the only  tropical grassland  in India  to  be  given  the  status of  a national park, Velavadar national park  is  a 36  km  patch of  Savannah  type  grasslands  and  thorn  scrub. The park is  set  between  two  rivers, a  few miles  from  the Gulf of Cambay  sea  coast. The  rich  soil is believed  to have origins  in  the sea.

The  principal  attraction of  the park  is  the  massive population of blackbuck,  the handsome  Indian  antelope,  seen here in  numbers  running into  thousands.  The blackbuck is  endemic  to India  and is  rated  among  the most  elegant  antelopes  and  the  fastest  animals   over  a  long  distance. During  the  rule  of  the Maharajahs of Bhavnagar,  Velavadar  was harvested  for  grass  to  feed  the  royal  cattle herds  and  the  antelope  were protected  except  for  an occassional  hunting  camp. This is  where  His highness  Krishnakumar Sinhji  coursed blackbucks  using  cheetahs  and  flew  falcons.

Black bucks fighting

The  wolf is  the prime predator of Velavadar national park. Studies by WII  research  scientists have shown  that Velavadar is one of  the  few places  in  the  world  where  the  wolf  population is  proliferating.

Other  mammals  seen in Velavadar  are  fox, jackal, jungle  cat,  wild pig, hare  and  rodents.

The birdlife is  extensive. Sandgrouse, larks  and other  grasslands  are  seen in  fair numbers. The   harrier  roost  at  Velavadar national park is  one of  the largest in the  world,  as  certified by international harrier  expert, Roger Clarke of UK. .

Gir | Little Rann of Kutch | Marine National Park | Velavadar

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