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. |
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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.
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Wildlife 
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