10 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Gujarat

By Umang Rajpurohit

Gujarat is famous for Asiatic lions, found in the Gir national park, but not only lions, gujarat have variety of Faunas. Gujarat is one of the greenest, state with riched with vegetation and wildlife. Gujarat is home to number of wildlife animals and it is 9th most popular tourist region in the country. Most widely famous for it's national parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Gujarat is no less than africa in terms of wildlife(having less area than africa but still having a wide variety of different species of animals and birds).

So, here is the list of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries you should not miss when you visit the state of gujarat:

1. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

One of the most famous sanctuary of the country, Nalsarovar bird sanctuary is located at west of Ahmedabad near Sanand village in the state of gujarat. Nalsarovar sanctuary have about 50 species if birds and it is mainly inhabitated by migratory birds. It is the largest wetland birds sanctuary in gujarat. In winter migratory birds migrate here including the Flamingos, Crakes, herons, Storks and Lapwing. They visit Nalsarovar between November and February.

You can Visit the sanctuary between 6 am to 5:30 Pm. For visit you have to pay entry fee per visitor and also have to pay for your camera. For better view visit the place before the sunrise.

Birds seen in the Sanctuary:  Flamingos, pelicans, storks, geese, sarus crane, ducks, rails herons etc.

2. Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar

Widely known for Blackbuck, Blackbuck national park is located in the city of bhavnagar(42km away from the city). This National park was established in the year 1976. Near, the coasts of the gulf of Khambhat(south). Blackbuck national park is open almost all time of the year, except 15 June to 15 October(because it is breeding season for the animal residing there). I will suggest you to visit the park between december to march(between it is the time when most birds migrates back).

The most beautiful thing about this national park is the Indian Antelope(blackbuck, native to India and Nepal). Blackbuck is a endangered species. I recommend you to visit this place atleast once.

Animals/Birds seen in the park:  Blackbuck, wolves, hyenas, bastards etc.

3.Gir National Park

Gir National Park is the only area in Asia where Asiatic Lions occur. Gir national park is the home to largest number of lions. Gir is also known as Sasan gir. It is located north east of Somnath. Established in 1965, this place was Junagadh's nawab's private hunting area. But now it is fully protected.

The population of lions has increased from 411 in 2010 to 675 in 2020(well done forest team). You can visit this place in the year except 16 june to 15 october.

Animals seen in the park: Mugger Crocodile, Indian leopard, Stripped hyena, Jackals etc.

4. Marine National Park

Situated in Gulf of Kutch, Marine national park is famous for green sea turtle, whale shark and many more.The biodiversity of marine national park is not so well because of the chemical industries, oil refineries and extraction of corals. Marine national park was declared national park in 1982. We will suggest you to visit this park between october and march.

Animals(aquatic) seen in the park : Starfish, Sea urchins, Olive ridley, Mudskippers etc.

5. Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary

Ratanmahal sloth bear Sanctuary is located in Kanjeta village of gujarat. As the name says it all Ratanmahal is the home to largest numbers of Sloth bears in gujarat. Ratanmahal sanctuary was declared as Wildlife sanctuary in 1982. The sanctuary touches the border with madhya pradesh. The Ratanmahal sanctury is near to the Panam river(river of Central Gujarat.)

Animals seen in the sanctuary: Python, trinket, Flap-shell turtle and Sloth bear.

6. Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary

Declared sanctuary in 1986, kutch wildlife sanctuary is situated in great Rann of Kutch. Flamingos are the one of the most favorite tourist attraction of kutch wildf life sanctuary. This sancutary forms boundary with pakistan, so basically it is one of the Indo-pak international border. One of the best reason to visit this sanctuary is the white Rann of kutch(white salt crystals). This place is patrolled and controlled by BSF(Border Security Force). 

Animals/Birds seen in the Sanctuary: Chinkaras, nilgai, blackbucks, flamingos, pelicans etc.

7. Vansda National Park

Vansda National park(Bansda national park) is located in the Vansda taluka, Navsari district of gujarat. Touched with Ambika river, set in western ghats of Sahaydri range. This National Park was Established in 1979. Blessed with 155 species of birds and a large number of fauna. There are 443 species of plants. It is a very well established and properly planned park.

Vansda National Park is home to jungle cat, Hyena, leopard, mongoose, Barking deer, Antelopes etc.

8. Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary

Jambughoda wildlife sanctuary is located in the jambughoda taluka in gujarat. The special things about this place is it's forest cover and valleys. Mostly tribal people resides in this place. This sanctuary was established in 1989. Jambughoda sanctuary have 17 mammal species other than there are plenty of birds species in the sanctuary. This sanctuary have a wide varieties of reptiles and many venomous snakes. Other than the sanctuary who can visit Champaner and Pavagadh which are nearer to the sanctuary.

Animals seen in the sanctuary: Python,  Crocodile, Nilgais, Wild boars, Antelope etc.

9. Porbandar Bird Sanctuary

Situated in the porbandar. Porbandar bird sanctuary is one of the most beautiful place you should visit. It is the smallest bird sanctuary. Porbandar Sanctuary was declared in  sanctuary in 1988. This sanctuary have a wide varities of species of birds more than 150 species of bird. This is one of the place where birds are very safe and secure. Flamingo is one of the bird you will observe in this sanctuary.

In my personal opinion, you should visit this place atleast once because it is the perfect ammalgamation of birds and nature, Will suggest you to visit the sanctuary in winter.

Birds seen in the sanctuary: Pelicans, Flamingos, Coots ,Ibis, Cranes, Terns, Bittern, Geese, Grebes, Herons, Teals, Spoonbill and many more.

10. Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1982, this is a best spot for nature and animal lovers. Shoolpaneshwar wildlife sancturay is located in Satpura range, in the south of Narmada river. This sanctuary shares boundary with Maharashtra and Madhya pradesh. Dhanmal is one of the highest peak of this place. Perfectly, placed in nature this plce is home to pangolins, barking deers, sloth bears and leopards. The one more thing that make this place more visitable or lovely is the Zarwani Waterfall located in the jungle.

About Me

               Umang is a student of geography pursuing bachelor's in geography  who enjoys indulging his passion including reading geography  books and writing  geography articles. This blog is about 10 Popular National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries Everyone Should Visit . My goal is to make every post valuable and something I'd want to read. Its mostly a Educational blog, meant to inspire. You can find my videos on youtube  (there's a link in the upper right to jump to them) but posts are almost about geography .Other than writing blog on geography i also do illustration on Instagram. Enjoy Umang