Marine National Park - Gujarat - समुद्री राष्ट्रीय उद्यान
|
 Photo by : sujith007 in webshots More images... |
Gujarat has the distinction of creating the country's first Marine National Park spread over an area of nearly 458 sq.kms. in the Gulf of Kutch, 30 km. from Jamnagar. Here corals create fantasies in stone and are the master builders of the Park. Their limestone fortresses – those found near the Pirotan Islands and the rich moist deciduous forests like those found in the dense forests of the Danes. One of the most threatened birds, the great Indian bustard finds a refuge in certain pockets of protected areas.
The world's only four-horned antelope, the chowsingha is found here in healthy numbers. One of the largest herds of blackjacks grace the grasslands of Velavadar and till recently Gujarat was the place where flamingos nested in huge numbers. Dugong, a marine mammal which resembles a seal, along with the rare Borolo species have found home in the protected areas of the Marine National Park.
Each one the work of a colony of countless tiny animals - come in an amazing variety of shapes and sizes, from the convolutedbrain coral corals that look like horns. Here you will find plants that look like animals and animals that look like plants. Turtles, shrimp, sponge, eels, sea urchin lurk among the corals and huge schools of fish create a brilliance of colors that are unknown, unseen and unimaginable to us.
There are fishes to be seen which puff-up when threatened, octopuses that mimic the color and texture of the surroundings in the blink of an eyelid so as to vanish without a trace. This new National Park was set up in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at a distance of 20 km from Port Blair which is the nearest town and airport. The park covers an area of 281 Sq.km.
There are Gobi's which clean parasites from other fish and fishes who burrow so deep only their eyes are seen. You will easily spot fishes that look like stars and spot dolphins herding schools of fish for a hearty meal. Dugong, a marine mammal which resembles a seal and the rare Boralia species are found in these protected areas. At times it seems as if every life form here is familiar with the art of magic as each seem to trick the other for food and shelter. Above the waters, mangrove plants with their tangled roots and densely packed leaves prevent land based predators from penetrating but provide scores of birds with nesting and roosting sites. There is no doubt that life in the coral reef is like witnessing a thousand rainbows in a kaleidoscopic way.
The park is spread over 15 islands of Labrynth group of Islands of the west coast of south Andaman. Each Island has distinct vegetation which comprise littoral moist deciduous evergreen forests and mangroves in small pockets, creeks and estuarine bags. The island shores are nesting grounds for 5 species of tropical sea turtles. The coral reefs and associated coral fish attract many tourists, water-monitor, lizard, wild boar, sea snakes are other animal forms.
December to April are the best months for visiting the park. Accommodation can be found in forest Rest House at Wandoor.
India's first Marine Sanctuary and National park is found in the Gulf of Kutch, Jamnagar District in Gujarat. The Gulf of Kutch located on the west coast of India is an arm of the Arabian Sea, separating the Saurashtra Peninsula from the Great and Little Rann of Kutch. At its seaward (western) end it is 58 km wide, from which point it tapers gradually eastwards, extending for nearly 170 km with maximum depth of 60 mts and an average depth of about 20 mts.
The Marine sanctuary and the park located on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch were established in 1980 and 1982 respectively under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for the protection of threatened marine flora and fauna in the area.
The Marine Sanctuary when established extended over an area of 270 sq. km., from Okha to Jodhya. The core area of 110 Sq. km. was subsequently notified as the Marine Park, comprising areas of 7,000 ha off Okha in the west and 4,000 ha off Jamnagar to the east. In 1982, the protected area of the sanctuary was enlarged nearly to 458 Sq. km. and that of the park is now 162.89 Sq.km. In all a total 931.33 Sq.Km of area including Mangrove forests is under the administration of Jamnagar Circle. Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has declared this Park as category-II area in the list of important National Parks of the world, published by them.
The landscape of the shallow waters of the park is dominated by a complex coral reef ecosystem, coupled with extensive mangroves. Apart from the rich collection of corals in different shapes and sizes, mainly six species of mangroves are commonly represented in this area, i.e. Avicennia marina, Avicennia alba, Avicennia officianalis, Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal, Aegiceros corniculata. Sporadic presence of Salvadora, Tamarix dioca and Commiphora wightii is observed on islands. The slushy muddy mangrove marshes provide a paradise for marine creatures, marine Flora and colourful living corals. Mangroves also support huge breeding colonies of painted storks (Mycteria leucocephala), herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia), darters (Anhinga melanogaster), Flamingoes, avocets, ducks, terns, gulls and little cormorants (Phalacrocorax niger) and Stints.
Besides Mangroves, the major flora include sea grass and sea weeds, Saag, Sesam , Kheru, Limda etc. and the major Fauna are Coral lichen, Coral sponge, Green sponge, Puffer Fish, turtles, dolphins, crabs, Prawns, Sea anemones, Jelly Fishes, Starfishes, octopus etc. In all, the area supports 37 species of hard and soft corals, 70 species of sponges, 150-200 species of fishes, 27 species of prawns, 30 species of crabs, more than 200 species of molluscs, 3 species of endangered sea turtles, 3 species of sea snakes, 3 species of sea mammal, 94 species of water birds, 78 species of terrestrial birds and 108 species of brown, green and red algae.
Sea grass also offers an ideal habitat to the diverse biota and act as buffers between mangroves and coral. Some of the sea grass species support unique fauna like the endangered herbivorous marine mammal dugong and the sea horse. Migratory sea turtle also depend on sea grass. Green Turtles from as far as Brazil come and breed along the coast of Gulf of Kutch and on the sea shore of Saurashtra. Besides Green sea turtle, Olive ridley turtle and Leather back turtle are also found visiting Gulf of Kutch. The Marine National Park is maintaining a hatchery at Madhupur near Porbandar and also some temporary hatcheries on islands near Okha and Dwarka.
There are between 30 and 40 islands on the Jamnagar coast in the Marine National Park, all surrounded by reefs. The best-known islands are Pirotan, six Sq. km. located 16 km north of Bedi Port, Karubhar, Narara, Poshitra etc. Sunsets at the islands esp. Pirotan is beautiful with colours and hues of various types of birds and sightings of dolphins, octopus etc. Most of the beaches along the coast are sandy and muddy, or have large sandstone expanses. The best period for visiting the park is from November to January.
Other tourist places near the park are Khijadiya, an excellent bird sanctuary situated about 15 km away from Jamnagar and Dwarikadish Temple about 150 km away.
PWD Rest House and Hotels at Jamnagar (Approx. 30 km.) Beautiful habitat such as this waterfall is not a rarity, but are there for the interested tourists to discover in all our National Parks and Sanctuaries Express Hotels
Moti Khavdi,
Jamnagar - 361 140, India
Phone: +91 - 288 - 2344 416 / 17 / 80 / 90
Fax : +91 - 288 - 2344 417
Email - Contact Us
Website : www.expressworld.com/ehpl/eJamnew.htm
Hotel President
Teen Batti, Jamnagar -361 001 Gujarat
Phone: 91-288-557 4191
Fax.: 91-288-558 491
Email - Contact Us
Aram Hotel,
Pandit Nehru Marg,
Jamnagar - 361 008
Mepani Corporation
Teen Batti,
Jamnagar - 361 001, India
Marine N.P. Jamnagar.
Phone: 0288 2552077
Director,
National Marine Park,
Pradarshan Ground, Jamnagar.
Nearest Town: Jamnagar (7km)
Best time to Visit: October and March
Significance: India's first Marine National park
The world's only four-horned antelope, the chowsingha is found here in healthy numbers. One of the largest herds of blackjacks grace the grasslands of Velavadar and till recently Gujarat was the place where flamingos nested in huge numbers. Dugong, a marine mammal which resembles a seal, along with the rare Borolo species have found home in the protected areas of the Marine National Park.
Each one the work of a colony of countless tiny animals - come in an amazing variety of shapes and sizes, from the convolutedbrain coral corals that look like horns. Here you will find plants that look like animals and animals that look like plants. Turtles, shrimp, sponge, eels, sea urchin lurk among the corals and huge schools of fish create a brilliance of colors that are unknown, unseen and unimaginable to us.
There are fishes to be seen which puff-up when threatened, octopuses that mimic the color and texture of the surroundings in the blink of an eyelid so as to vanish without a trace. This new National Park was set up in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at a distance of 20 km from Port Blair which is the nearest town and airport. The park covers an area of 281 Sq.km.
There are Gobi's which clean parasites from other fish and fishes who burrow so deep only their eyes are seen. You will easily spot fishes that look like stars and spot dolphins herding schools of fish for a hearty meal. Dugong, a marine mammal which resembles a seal and the rare Boralia species are found in these protected areas. At times it seems as if every life form here is familiar with the art of magic as each seem to trick the other for food and shelter. Above the waters, mangrove plants with their tangled roots and densely packed leaves prevent land based predators from penetrating but provide scores of birds with nesting and roosting sites. There is no doubt that life in the coral reef is like witnessing a thousand rainbows in a kaleidoscopic way.
The park is spread over 15 islands of Labrynth group of Islands of the west coast of south Andaman. Each Island has distinct vegetation which comprise littoral moist deciduous evergreen forests and mangroves in small pockets, creeks and estuarine bags. The island shores are nesting grounds for 5 species of tropical sea turtles. The coral reefs and associated coral fish attract many tourists, water-monitor, lizard, wild boar, sea snakes are other animal forms.
December to April are the best months for visiting the park. Accommodation can be found in forest Rest House at Wandoor.
India's first Marine Sanctuary and National park is found in the Gulf of Kutch, Jamnagar District in Gujarat. The Gulf of Kutch located on the west coast of India is an arm of the Arabian Sea, separating the Saurashtra Peninsula from the Great and Little Rann of Kutch. At its seaward (western) end it is 58 km wide, from which point it tapers gradually eastwards, extending for nearly 170 km with maximum depth of 60 mts and an average depth of about 20 mts.
The Marine sanctuary and the park located on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch were established in 1980 and 1982 respectively under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for the protection of threatened marine flora and fauna in the area.
The Marine Sanctuary when established extended over an area of 270 sq. km., from Okha to Jodhya. The core area of 110 Sq. km. was subsequently notified as the Marine Park, comprising areas of 7,000 ha off Okha in the west and 4,000 ha off Jamnagar to the east. In 1982, the protected area of the sanctuary was enlarged nearly to 458 Sq. km. and that of the park is now 162.89 Sq.km. In all a total 931.33 Sq.Km of area including Mangrove forests is under the administration of Jamnagar Circle. Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has declared this Park as category-II area in the list of important National Parks of the world, published by them.
The landscape of the shallow waters of the park is dominated by a complex coral reef ecosystem, coupled with extensive mangroves. Apart from the rich collection of corals in different shapes and sizes, mainly six species of mangroves are commonly represented in this area, i.e. Avicennia marina, Avicennia alba, Avicennia officianalis, Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal, Aegiceros corniculata. Sporadic presence of Salvadora, Tamarix dioca and Commiphora wightii is observed on islands. The slushy muddy mangrove marshes provide a paradise for marine creatures, marine Flora and colourful living corals. Mangroves also support huge breeding colonies of painted storks (Mycteria leucocephala), herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia), darters (Anhinga melanogaster), Flamingoes, avocets, ducks, terns, gulls and little cormorants (Phalacrocorax niger) and Stints.
Besides Mangroves, the major flora include sea grass and sea weeds, Saag, Sesam , Kheru, Limda etc. and the major Fauna are Coral lichen, Coral sponge, Green sponge, Puffer Fish, turtles, dolphins, crabs, Prawns, Sea anemones, Jelly Fishes, Starfishes, octopus etc. In all, the area supports 37 species of hard and soft corals, 70 species of sponges, 150-200 species of fishes, 27 species of prawns, 30 species of crabs, more than 200 species of molluscs, 3 species of endangered sea turtles, 3 species of sea snakes, 3 species of sea mammal, 94 species of water birds, 78 species of terrestrial birds and 108 species of brown, green and red algae.
Sea grass also offers an ideal habitat to the diverse biota and act as buffers between mangroves and coral. Some of the sea grass species support unique fauna like the endangered herbivorous marine mammal dugong and the sea horse. Migratory sea turtle also depend on sea grass. Green Turtles from as far as Brazil come and breed along the coast of Gulf of Kutch and on the sea shore of Saurashtra. Besides Green sea turtle, Olive ridley turtle and Leather back turtle are also found visiting Gulf of Kutch. The Marine National Park is maintaining a hatchery at Madhupur near Porbandar and also some temporary hatcheries on islands near Okha and Dwarka.
There are between 30 and 40 islands on the Jamnagar coast in the Marine National Park, all surrounded by reefs. The best-known islands are Pirotan, six Sq. km. located 16 km north of Bedi Port, Karubhar, Narara, Poshitra etc. Sunsets at the islands esp. Pirotan is beautiful with colours and hues of various types of birds and sightings of dolphins, octopus etc. Most of the beaches along the coast are sandy and muddy, or have large sandstone expanses. The best period for visiting the park is from November to January.
Other tourist places near the park are Khijadiya, an excellent bird sanctuary situated about 15 km away from Jamnagar and Dwarikadish Temple about 150 km away.
How to Reach
Air
The Nearest airport is Jamnagar (7 km).Rail
The Nearest Railway station are Jamnagar - 7 km and Rajkot - 90 kmBus
The Nearest bus station is Jamnagar (7 km).Accommodation
A Forest Rest House is situated in Theba which is about 8 kms away from Jamnagar. A number of Private Hotels and Guest houses and a circuit house with excellent facilities is located in Jamnagar.PWD Rest House and Hotels at Jamnagar (Approx. 30 km.) Beautiful habitat such as this waterfall is not a rarity, but are there for the interested tourists to discover in all our National Parks and Sanctuaries Express Hotels
Moti Khavdi,
Jamnagar - 361 140, India
Phone: +91 - 288 - 2344 416 / 17 / 80 / 90
Fax : +91 - 288 - 2344 417
Email - Contact Us
Website : www.expressworld.com/ehpl/eJamnew.htm
Hotel President
Teen Batti, Jamnagar -361 001 Gujarat
Phone: 91-288-557 4191
Fax.: 91-288-558 491
Email - Contact Us
Aram Hotel,
Pandit Nehru Marg,
Jamnagar - 361 008
Mepani Corporation
Teen Batti,
Jamnagar - 361 001, India
Contacts
Conservator of Forests,Marine N.P. Jamnagar.
Phone: 0288 2552077
Director,
National Marine Park,
Pradarshan Ground, Jamnagar.
General Information
Place : The Gulf of Kutch, Jamnagar District, GujaratNearest Town: Jamnagar (7km)
Best time to Visit: October and March
Significance: India's first Marine National park
 Photo by : rotadevildog in webshots |
 Photo by : tamkw525 in webshots |
|
|
|