Marine Sanctuary

Marine National Park and Sanctuary, Jamnagar, was declared as National Park and Sanctuary in August' 1980.

Marine National Park and Sanctuary falls in the inter-tidal zone along the Jamnagar coasts and islands in the Gulf of Kachchh. Blessed with a great diversity of habitats, its coral reefs and mangroves and the series of 42 islands form a unique, though fragile, eco-system, which supports an amazing marine life and  Inundated by temperamental seawaters twice a day, the Marine National Park stands as a vanguard to a very fragile eco-system, which is as good as any underwater forest eco-system. The protected area has a great diversity of habitats- ranging from coral reefs, mangroves, mudflats, creeks, estuaries, sandy strands to saline grasslands, marshy areas and rocky shores. These varieties of habitats support multitudes of fish, birds, reptiles and many other life forms. The coral reefs and mangroves found in Marine National Park are of great conservation value, which have all along been considered as the most fascinating of all the rich marine biota in a compact place found anywhere in the country. Special efforts are made to preserve its rare dignity of being the first marine national park in the country. It is a treasure trove of colourful corals and sponges, giant sea anemone, jelly fish, sea horse, octopus, pearl oyster, Portuguese man of war, starfish, dolphin, shark and many more varieties of under water creatures and plants. Islands Narara is one of the important tourists' destinations. Although it is an island, it is well connected with the mainland. It is also known for its vast inter-tidal zone, facilitating viewing of marine invertebrates. It is therefore, a very good nature education site. Similarly, Pirotan is another tourist attraction where all kinds of invertebrates are easily visible. If you intend to go to Pirotan island, please remember that you will need high tide to reach the island by boat from the creeks (20 nautical miles). There is a time gap of 12 hours between the two high tides during the day. Therefore, once you cross the creek to Pirotan island, you will be able to return only during next tide after about 12 hours You should reach at Bedi Bandar or Nava Bandar (boarding point for creek crossing) one hour before the high tide. Flora Six species of mangroves, several species of herbs, grasses and shrubs and 120 species of algae. Founa Colourful sponges and corals including 42 hard coral and 10 soft coral species, sea anemones, jelly fishes, sea horse, octopus, pearl oyster, sabela, portugese- man-of-war, starfish, bonellia, sepia, lobster, crabs, prawns, sea turtles, dolphin, dugong, porpoise, shark etc. Mangrove Forest The mangroves are halophytic species growing in saline soils in the coastal areas along the shores. The mangroves are adapted to loose and wet soils and periodic submergence in the saline water. They survive in difficult conditions of high salinity, low oxygen and nutrient availability in the soil, wind and wave action and substrate instability. Mangroves play crucial role in conservation of marine life as mangrove swamps are considered nursery and shelter grounds for prawns, fishes, birds and host of other marine life. The fringe mangroves function as stabilizer of sediments and protect shore land from erosion. Thick cover of mangroves trap silts and protect coral reefs from destruction by excessive sedimentation. Amenities / Facilities The island does not offer any staying facility. Contact Deputy Conservator of Forests, Marine National Park, Van Sankul, C.F. Office, Nr. Nagnath Road, Jamnagar-36001.Phone : (O) 0288 255077.

Gaga Wild Life Sanctuary

About the Sanctuary
Declared as a wildlife sanctuary in November 1988, Gaga is one of the few places where a number of important birds are found. A large number of migratory birds like pelicans, spot-billed ducks, flamingoes, demoiselle cranes and common cranes visit this sanctuary during winter. It supports rare and endangered species like Houbara Bustard, Indian Wolf etc. There are 12 species of mammals, eight species of reptiles and 88 species of birds. Invertebrates like butterflies, moths, honeybee, wasps, spiders and termites are also present in the sanctuary.

Location
Bhatia taluka, Jamnagar district
Sanctuary area
332.87 ha.
Flora
Sanctuary comprises grasslands intermixed with saline scrubs. Prosopis chilensis, kerdo, gorad, piloo etc.
Important animals
wolf, jackal, mongoose, jungle cat, bluebull etc.
Important birds
Great Indian Bustards, larks, partridges, sand grouses, flamingoes etc.
Contact
Deputy Conservator of Forests
Jamnagar. Gujarat.
Ph: (O) 0288 2552077.

Khijadia Bird Sanctuary

Located near the coast of Jamnagar at a distance of 15 km. from the city. Khijadia Bird Sanctuary has an amazingly large number of resident and migratory birds in a relatively small area- particularly during winters. Declared a sanctuary in May 1981, the sanctuary is spread over just 6.05 sq. Km. However, the sanctuary and its adjoining areas bear a remarkable diversity of habitats and ecosystems which include marine habitat, fresh water habitat, marshy lands, mangroves, prosopis areas, salt pans, open mudflats, intertidal mudflats, creeks, scrubs sandy beaches and adjoining farmlands.
Due to its high diversity of landscapes, the sanctuary has a rare distinction of having maximum bird species density in the state with more than 220 species in a relatively very small area. This diversity has a special conservation value as it has several globally threatened species such as Dalmatian pelican, Darter, Asian open bill stork, Black-necked stork, Black-headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, Pallas’s fish eagle, Pallid harrier, Indian skimmer, Osprey etc. You may, therefore, reasonably hope to enjoy pleasant sighting of the pristine avifauna in large numbers.
Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is an outcome of two man-made structures (earthen reclamation bunds) in the midst of natural relief features. These bunds have been constructed to arrest fresh water from draining into the sea and to arrest the salinity ingress from the seaside. These dams have neatly separated fresh water from the seawater. Therefore, while you see seawater and related biodiversity on one side, you can watch fresh water and related biodiversity on the other side- with some species sharing both.

Location : Taluka and district
Jamnagar
Sanctuary area
605 ha.
Black necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)
Globally threatened, Black-necked stork is a resident species of the Indian subcontinent. This large stork with black neck, long red legs and black bill forages singly or in pairs. It wades in shallow water and among aquatic vegetation with its bill open at the tip. Normally it breeds in September -December.
Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
White all over with black legs and a yellow patch at the base of its long neck, this bird is notable for its long, flattened, spoon-shaped bill. It holds it partly open, dipping into shallow water, and sweeps it from side to side, often as part of a group of birds advancing together, and in this way catches frogs, crustacea and other small bottom dwellers. It frequents pools, marshes and sometimes mangrove swamps.
Flora
Emergent aquatic vegetation includes Typha ungustata, Scripus sp., Cyperus sp. and Saccharum spontaneum. Under water plants include Hydrilla verticellat, vallisnaria spiralis and najas minor and some important tree species like - gando baval, deshi baval, piloo etc.
Fauna
Important birds
Pelicans, spoonbill, Indian skimmer, great crested grebe, little grebe, purple moorhen, ducks, coots, cormorants, herons, egrets, storks, ibises, gulls, terns, jacanas, darter, flamingoes etc. and many raptors.
Important animals
Jackal, jungle cat, blue bull, mongoose etc.
Contact
Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Marine National Park, Van Sankul,
Nr. Nagnath Road, Jamnagar-360001. Gujarat.
Ph: (O) 0288 2552077.

Barda Wild Life Sanctuary

Hardly 15 km. from the coast of Porbandar town of Porbandar district, the hilly forest of Barda is standing against the salinity ingress in the region. This area was declared as sanctuary in February' 1979.

The sanctuary having a forest area of 192.31 sq. km. is relatively small in extent. However, it is characteristically abundant in floral diversity, which consists of a good number of medicinal plants. In fact, very high percentage of rare and endangered plants occurring in the area is an important component of the sanctuary.

The area falls into two erstwhile princely states of the history i.e. Rana Barda, where Ranas of Porbandar ruled once upon a time and Jam Barda, where the rule of Jamsaheb of Jamnagar prevailed. The ethnic races such as Maldharis, Bharvads, Rabaris and Gadhvis live in this region of Saurashtra.

Location

Porbandar & Jamnagar 

Sanctuary area

192.31 sq. Km.

Flora

The area has maximum floral diversity in the state (650 plant species). Gorad, Babul, Dhav, Rayan, Ber, Jamun, Amli, Dhudhlo, Bamboo etc.

Fauna

Important animals

 Leopard, hyena, wild boar, wolf, jackal, bluebull etc.

Important birds

Rare and endangered spotted eagle and crested hawk eagle alongwith other numerous bird species.

Sambar, chital and chinkara were present in the Sanctuary in recent past and therefore they can be re-introduced, as the habitat is quite suitable for these wild ungulates. This would create a good prey-base for a big carnivore like leopard. The soil and moisture conservation works can improve the water regime in the area and will have positive effect on the vegetation and the habitat and therefore more such works should be prescribed. Barda should also be considered for introduction of the Asiatic lion as it is considered as second home of this big carnivore. It is necessary to prepare a comprehensive management plan for Barda Sanctuary. To develop Barda as second home for Asiatic lion the State Government implemented 'Gir-Barda Project' from 1979.

Contact

Assistant Conservator of Forests, Porbandar
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary,
Forest colony,
Chaupati Maidan, Porbandar. Gujarat.
Phone :(O) 0286 2242551.