Velavadar National Park (Blackbuck National Park) - वेलावादर राष्ट्रीय उद्यान (कृष्णमृग एन पी)
Popularly known as the home of the Indian Black Buck, has attracted worldwide attention for the successful conservation of the fastest of the Indian Antelopes - Black Buck.
Black Buck N.P. Velavadhar in the Bhal region of Saurashtra. 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.
Velavadar is one of the few places in the world where the wolf population is proliferating. The wolf is the prime predator of Velavadar national park. 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.
Velavadar National Park, the only tropical grassland in India recognized as a National park is located in Bhavnagar district, in the Bhal region of Saurashtra, Gujarat. The park, now spread over an area of 34.08 Sq.kms used to be a private grassland of the ex- princely state of Bhavnagar with an area of about 1788.88 ha which was subsequently declared as a reserve forest and later notified as a National Park in 1976. An area of 1622.23 ha was further added in 1980. The main attraction of the park located seventy-two km away from the city of Bhavnagar is the massive population of Black Buck, Antelope, Wolf and other endangered species of birds.
The park has been classified as Gujarat-Rajwada biotic province of semi-arid bio-geographical zone. It has a unique grassland eco system. On the southern border of the park lies the high tidal zone of the Gulf of Khambhat and as a result that portion of the park is flooded with water. The other sides are surrounded by wastelands and agriculture fields. Its semi-arid conditions, together with overflowing of sea water during monsoon create habitats for the varied fauna.
The Park has areas of dense grasslands, sparse grasslands, Prosopis shrubland, Saline lands and high tidal mudflats. Thirty-nine species of grasses and 46 species of sedges, shrubs and trees represent the diversity of flora. Dichanthium annulatum, Sporobolus virginicus, Sporobolus coromandelianus, Sporobolus madernspatensis are the dominant grasses. Prosopis juliflora growing in the form of shrub covers large area of the Park. Among the medium sized trees, Salvadora, Acacia nilotica, Zizyphus, Capparis and Suaeda are common.
The fauna of the park comprises mainly of Blackbuck, Antelope, Blue bull, Wolf, jackal, hyena, jungle cat, fox, Wild Boars and birds as well. All these animals can be viewed on the open Flat grassland from very close range. The exclusive Indian Blackbuck which the sanctuary is named after, is one of the most graceful and beautiful animal of its kind. It has ringed horns that have a spiral twist of three to fours turns and are up to 70 cm long. The body's upper parts are black and the under parts and a ring around the eyes are white. The light brown female is usually hornless. 'Kathi' tribal community of Gujarat have protected the blackbuck with vigour and zeal, as it is associated with their past history of valor and religious practices.
Endangered birds like Houbara Bustard, Lesser Florican, Sarus White Storks, White Pelican, Montagu, Pallid Harriers, Marsh and other raptors including the Greater Spotted Eagle, juvenile Imperial Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard are also seen in the park. The Climate in Velavdar makes it one of the best places for the migrating birds to breed. During the rainy season the breeding of Lesser Florican is seen largely in the park. The male bird attracting the female is an unusual sight to watch. The male bird first marks its territory and then begins the courtship display which is a spectacular vertical leap up to a height of two meters, and which may be repeated over 500 times in a day. Sarus cranes also regularly breed in the park during the monsoon season. This place has earned popularity as the largest roosting ground for four species of migratory harriers in the entire world.
There are private owned luxury hotels in Bhavnagar City. Bluehill Hotel
Opp: Pill Garden,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2426951, 52, 53, 54 2427598, 2426297
Fax: 91278 2427313
Email - Contact Us
Hotel Sun 'N' Shine
Panwadi, S. T Road,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2516131 to 35
Fax : 91278 2516130
Nilambag Palace Hotel
Nilambag Chowk,
Bhavnagar 364 002
Phone : 91278 2424241, 2429323, 2515854
Fax: 91278 2428072
Email - Contact Us
Hotel White Rose
Nilambaug, Opp: Vitthalvadi,
Bhavnagar 364 003
Phone : 91278 2514022, 2412441,42
Fax : 91278 2413403
Jubilee Hotels Pvt. Ltd
Behind Pilgarden,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2430045, 46
Fax: 91278 2421744
Hotel Mausam
Opp: Alka cinema,
Station Road,
Bhavnagar-364 001
Phone : 91278 2518746,76
Fax : 91278 2518784
Hotel Royal
Above Hero Honda Shaw Room,
B/h Alka Cinema,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2436958, 2426281
Fax : 91278 2439884
Hotel Swagat
Kesharinandan complex,
Bhidbhanjan chowk,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2433444, 2431491 2430325, 2430329
Fax : 91278 2435692/687
Hotel Apollo
Opp: Centrral Bus Station,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2425250 to 55 Fax : 91278 2412440
Nearest Town: Ballavpur (32 km)
Best time to visit: Between October and March
Accommodation : Tourist Lodge at the Park. ( Advanced notice needed )
How to get there : By road : 4 hours(180 kms), trains to Bhavnagar 50 kms from Velavadar.
Main Attraction: Black Buck
Black Buck N.P. Velavadhar in the Bhal region of Saurashtra. 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.
Velavadar is one of the few places in the world where the wolf population is proliferating. The wolf is the prime predator of Velavadar national park. 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.
Velavadar National Park, the only tropical grassland in India recognized as a National park is located in Bhavnagar district, in the Bhal region of Saurashtra, Gujarat. The park, now spread over an area of 34.08 Sq.kms used to be a private grassland of the ex- princely state of Bhavnagar with an area of about 1788.88 ha which was subsequently declared as a reserve forest and later notified as a National Park in 1976. An area of 1622.23 ha was further added in 1980. The main attraction of the park located seventy-two km away from the city of Bhavnagar is the massive population of Black Buck, Antelope, Wolf and other endangered species of birds.
The park has been classified as Gujarat-Rajwada biotic province of semi-arid bio-geographical zone. It has a unique grassland eco system. On the southern border of the park lies the high tidal zone of the Gulf of Khambhat and as a result that portion of the park is flooded with water. The other sides are surrounded by wastelands and agriculture fields. Its semi-arid conditions, together with overflowing of sea water during monsoon create habitats for the varied fauna.
The Park has areas of dense grasslands, sparse grasslands, Prosopis shrubland, Saline lands and high tidal mudflats. Thirty-nine species of grasses and 46 species of sedges, shrubs and trees represent the diversity of flora. Dichanthium annulatum, Sporobolus virginicus, Sporobolus coromandelianus, Sporobolus madernspatensis are the dominant grasses. Prosopis juliflora growing in the form of shrub covers large area of the Park. Among the medium sized trees, Salvadora, Acacia nilotica, Zizyphus, Capparis and Suaeda are common.
The fauna of the park comprises mainly of Blackbuck, Antelope, Blue bull, Wolf, jackal, hyena, jungle cat, fox, Wild Boars and birds as well. All these animals can be viewed on the open Flat grassland from very close range. The exclusive Indian Blackbuck which the sanctuary is named after, is one of the most graceful and beautiful animal of its kind. It has ringed horns that have a spiral twist of three to fours turns and are up to 70 cm long. The body's upper parts are black and the under parts and a ring around the eyes are white. The light brown female is usually hornless. 'Kathi' tribal community of Gujarat have protected the blackbuck with vigour and zeal, as it is associated with their past history of valor and religious practices.
Endangered birds like Houbara Bustard, Lesser Florican, Sarus White Storks, White Pelican, Montagu, Pallid Harriers, Marsh and other raptors including the Greater Spotted Eagle, juvenile Imperial Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard are also seen in the park. The Climate in Velavdar makes it one of the best places for the migrating birds to breed. During the rainy season the breeding of Lesser Florican is seen largely in the park. The male bird attracting the female is an unusual sight to watch. The male bird first marks its territory and then begins the courtship display which is a spectacular vertical leap up to a height of two meters, and which may be repeated over 500 times in a day. Sarus cranes also regularly breed in the park during the monsoon season. This place has earned popularity as the largest roosting ground for four species of migratory harriers in the entire world.
How to Reach
Air
Nearest airport is Bhavnagar (72 km).Rail
The Nearest Railway station is Dhola (52 kms) and Bhavnagar ( 72 km)Road
The Nearest bus station is Vallabhipur (32 km). The park is about 72 km from Bhavnagar, 315 km from Rajkot, 170 km from Ahmedabad 45 km from Vallabhipur Bus Stop (Bhavnagar District)Accommodation
Boarding and lodging facilities are available in the rest house of the Forest Department. A tourist lodge is situated near the National Park. Reservation at the tourist lodge can be availed by writing in advance to the Assistant Forest Conservator, Velavadar Black Buck National Park, Velavadar. P.O. Vallabhipur, Bhavnagar. Phone: 0278 428644.There are private owned luxury hotels in Bhavnagar City. Bluehill Hotel
Opp: Pill Garden,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2426951, 52, 53, 54 2427598, 2426297
Fax: 91278 2427313
Email - Contact Us
Hotel Sun 'N' Shine
Panwadi, S. T Road,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2516131 to 35
Fax : 91278 2516130
Nilambag Palace Hotel
Nilambag Chowk,
Bhavnagar 364 002
Phone : 91278 2424241, 2429323, 2515854
Fax: 91278 2428072
Email - Contact Us
Hotel White Rose
Nilambaug, Opp: Vitthalvadi,
Bhavnagar 364 003
Phone : 91278 2514022, 2412441,42
Fax : 91278 2413403
Jubilee Hotels Pvt. Ltd
Behind Pilgarden,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2430045, 46
Fax: 91278 2421744
Hotel Mausam
Opp: Alka cinema,
Station Road,
Bhavnagar-364 001
Phone : 91278 2518746,76
Fax : 91278 2518784
Hotel Royal
Above Hero Honda Shaw Room,
B/h Alka Cinema,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2436958, 2426281
Fax : 91278 2439884
Hotel Swagat
Kesharinandan complex,
Bhidbhanjan chowk,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2433444, 2431491 2430325, 2430329
Fax : 91278 2435692/687
Hotel Apollo
Opp: Centrral Bus Station,
Bhavnagar 364 001
Phone : 91278 2425250 to 55 Fax : 91278 2412440
General Information
Place: Bhavnagar District, GujaratNearest Town: Ballavpur (32 km)
Best time to visit: Between October and March
Accommodation : Tourist Lodge at the Park. ( Advanced notice needed )
How to get there : By road : 4 hours(180 kms), trains to Bhavnagar 50 kms from Velavadar.
Main Attraction: Black Buck