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.
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Wildlife 
