Gujarat, situated in the western region of India, has a geographical area of 1,96,024 sq.km.of which roughly 10% i.e. 19,658 sq.km. is under forest cover. Unfortunately, out of this almost half of it is devoid of vegetation, unproductive and in a high state of degradation.

Even though, Nature has bestoved upon Gujarat state a rich heritage of Wild life. Gujarat is very fortunate in has burning a rich variety of Wildlife consisting of about 40 species of mammals and over 425 species of birds. The birds found in the state are resident, local migratory and migratory coming from as far off places as Europe and Siberia.It is a matter of pride that some of the species found in Gujarat are so rare and unique that the are not found elsewhere in the country or even in the world The famous Asiatic Lion of which only 304 are available in the wild, finds its stronghold in the Gir forests of Gujarat and what could be described as the Indian Zebra the World Ass moves freely only in the Little of Runn of Kutch many types of ducks also regularly fly from Europe land other countries during the winter and find a safe haven in the land of Gujarat. It is also worth noting that such is the pious and gentle nature of the people of Gujarat that some birds find a safe abode in the middle of towns and cities like Porbandar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, etc. where thousands of cranes, ducks, teals and pelicans, etc. Come to spend their winters, in the middle of hustle and bustle of the big cities.

In Gujarat, the Forest Department has all along been responsible for the conservation and protection of wildlife. Since the State separated from the Greater bi-lingual State of Bombay in the year 1960, Government became dive to the problem of conservation and propagation of wildlife in the Gujarat. The areas rich in wildlife including avifauna, both local and migratory, have been identified and constituted into sanctuaries and national parks, Today , Gujarat has 20 sanctuaries and 4 national parks together covering an area of 16902.38 sq.km out of which national parks cover 479.67 sq.km.

Marine National Park:

The Government of Gujarat took a pioneering step in declaring area of 457.92 sq.km. as the first marine Sanctuary in the country. An area of 162,89 sq.km.in the core was declared as National Park. Marine National Park and Sanctuary has rich coral and other Marine life. The area is also full of Borlia species which are quite rare. Culture of ports is being done in this area which is a source of foreign exchange in the country.

MARINE NATIONAL PARK/SANCTUARY

Other facilities :

GIR LION NATIONAL PARK/SANCTUARY

Gir holds lan enviable place in the wildlife map of the country for being the only home of the Asiatic lion. To protect this majestic animal a Sanctuary was formed covering an area of 1412.12 sq.km. in the year 1972. The forests of Gir today are known all over the world as the last home of the Asiatic Lion wherein roam these great cats in their unbelievable magnificent power, pride land beauty. A few hundred years ago, the Asiatic Lion reigned supreme over vast areas from Saudi Arabia through Iran to many parts of northern India. Unfortunately, with the destruction of their habitat and unlimited hunting for trophies, this magnificent species could not hold its own country to country and started disappearing.

It is reported that the last animal serving on its own in the wild outside the Saurashtra region was killed in the year 1884. In Saurashtra also its territory started shrinking, thereby forcing the lion from Barda and other hills to take last land final in the forests of Gir. In the year 1900 Lord Curzon accepted an invitation from the then Nawab of Junagadh for a LIon Safari where he could shoot some lions before leaving for England. He arrived in Junagadh for a Lion Safari where he could shoot some lions before leaving for England. He arrived in Junagadh to be confronted by a barrage of letters in local dailies commenting on the inappropriateness of a British Viceroy, shooting a species to a point of no return. Subsequently, he changed his mind and urged the Nawab to give protection to the few lions that remained in the Gir area. The Nawab started putting restrictions and permitted to shoot a small number to a very few special special guests. However, even this culling was more than the reproductiveness so that in the year 1913 the population was reduced to a mere 20. It then that a complete ban on the shooting of the lions was put in the Junagadh state4 by the then Nawab. By 1920 i.e. in a period of 7 years their numbers increased to 50. It would thus be seen that whatever lions are existing in the Gir today are the progeny of the original 5 to 20 lions that had remained. Lions usually drop one to two in rare case 4 cubs, after a gestation period of 100-105 days.

Unfortunately, due to land hunger and keeping more cattle than they can take care of, by the Maldharis, the human-lion conflict has reached new heights in recent years. The lion population statistics in Gir will show that from a mere 50 in 1920 their number has increased to 304 1995. It is because of this reason i.e. with the dwindling forest cover on the one hand and their number which has been steadily increasing . on the other hand, that the cases of attack by lion on human beings are on the increase. Government is very alive to these incidents and has appointed an expert committee to go into the causes so that remedial measures can be taken.

All along, Gujarat Forest Department has been thinking of long term measures to be taken to see that the lions are saved in perpetuity. Being so few in numbers and that too being concentrated in such a small area, it would be unwise to put all the eggs in one basket. As such it has been correctly thought of to disperse the lions through out the world. Accordingly, the Sakkarbag zoo which is one of the oldest zoos in the country, famous for breeding lions, has been entrusted the work of dispersing the lions far and wide through out the world. At present negotiations are on with American zoos for giving 20 founders so that the lions are bred in a pure breed without crossing them with their African cousins and remain so without being wiped out and becoming extinct at any point of time.

Until now, visitors used to be taken around the sanctuary and shown lions. But now this practice is being discouraged. Almost 80% of the visitors are taken to Devalia Block where a Lion Safari Park has been constructed over an area of 400 ha. The visitors can see in the natural surrounding in addition to the lions, the ungulates such as Nilgais, Black Buck, Choushinga, Cheetal, Sambar and Crocodiles, etc. In this way in most of the Sanctuary, the lions have their own privacy and only those who are genuinely interested in photography or search are permitted to visit the rest of the area of the National Park and Sanctuary. Wireless sets have been installed at various check points and in mobile vehicles to keep a complete control over the entry and exit of the visitors, vehicles, pilgrims etc.

Periodic censuses are conducted to see that the ungulate population is adequate because they form the main food chain of the converses. In a recent census conducted it was seen that there are 32061 Cheetals, 2262 Sambars, 41702 Nilgais, 427 Choushingas, 1214 Chinkaras in the Gir National Park and Sanctuary.

As a matter of fact the panther which is the third important predator in Gujarat after tiger, is such an intelligent and elusive animal that it can survive under any odd circumstances. In Gujarat it is found in almost all the districts including those where forest cover has been very much depleted like Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Panchmahals, etc. Here it is found in rocky crevices where it hides itself during the day in cool refuge of the caves and comes out to hunt its prey during the night. It mainly lives on wild board, pigs, chickens, dogs, peacocks, etc. As already stated above, this feline is found in Gujarat in almost all the districts including those which have little forest cover i.e. starting from south in the districts of Valsad, Dangs, Surat, Bharuch, Panchmahals, Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Kutch etc. Being shy nocturnal, shrewd, intelligent and an elusive animal and not being particular about his food, there is little chance odd its ever becoming extinct. Still , however, steps are taken to see that no poaching of this animal takes place for its skin and whatever animals are sick or are abandoned by their parents being infirm or weak at birth, are brought to Sakkarbag zoo where there is a full fledged animal hospital section and nursed to maturity from where they are supplied to other zoos. The census conducted in 1984 showed that there are 498 panthers in the State, out of which around 120 are concentrated in the Gir National Park and Sanctuary itself. The 1994 Census showed an increase l796 panthers in the State with around l260 concentrated in the Gir National Park and Sanctuary. Not long ago, there were many tigers in the State of Gujarat. But merciless hunting, depletion of forest cover, etc. has brought these animals to the verge of extinction. The tiger census conducted in 1972 showed that there were 8 animals in the State. 1979 census gave a figure of 7 which increased to 9 in 1984 and the last census conducted in 1989 has confirmed that there are 9 animals in the whole of State.

Tiger is a magnificent animal and once roamed the moist deciduous and the deciduous forests of Gujarat mostly in the districts of Bharuch, Dangs and Valsad. But ruthless hunting for its trophy, and the destruction of its habitat greatly brought down the numbers of this royal animal.

Visit and view the majestic Lion in its natural habitat and last abode in natural surrounding. ?The Sanctuary was awarded its First Chairman's Trophy for the Best Managed Sanctuary in 1976. Wild Ass Sanctua

Gujarat is as famous for its Indian Zebra i.e. the Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur) as for lion. This rare creature is found in the little Runn of Kutch. To protect it for all times, the government of Gujarat established a Sanctuary covering an area of over 4953.70 sq.km to afford complete protection to this animal. Though wild ass can survive on almost anything including stubble (grass), pods of prosopis, coarse grass land other exerophytic plants, it does raid crops of the villagers during the night and thus comes in constant conflict with the homiosapians. To reduce this man-animal conflict the Government of Gujarat has spent large sums of money to fence off the area which is near the most populous villages surrounding this sanctuary. Three types of fencings have been used (1) electric fencing (2) trench cum live hedge frencing, and (3) barbed wire fencin

ASS SANCTUARY

Location :	Surendranagar/Kutch district 65 km from Surendranagar towards Halwad. Little Runn of Kutch.
Area :	4953.70 sq.km
Wild life :	Indian Wild Ass, Panther, Black buck, Chinkaras, Blue bull, Jackals, wild boar and Birds.
Nearest Airport:	Rajkot Airport 140 km
Railway Station:	Halvad 5 Km
Best Season :	February-May
Accommodation:	Government Rest House at Dhrangadhra with facilities for catering
Others facilities inquiry:	Sanctuary Superintendent, Wild Ass Sanctuary, Dhrangadhra, Dist Surendranagar Phone 23016 Or Conservator of Forest Wildlife Circle, Sardarbag, Junagadh Phone 21678 & 24051

SLOTH BEAR SANCTUARY

Bear (Sloth Bear) is another mammal which is quite common ins the State of Gujarat. It is usually found in the jungles of Baria, Godhra, Rajpipla and rarely in Dangs land Banaskantha districts in the Jessore Wildlife Sanctuary. In Gujarat two Sanctuaries have specially been formed to protect this big mammal. Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary and Jessor4e Sanctuary. bear though a big animal is not a very ferocious one. It hardly attacks any human being. It has very weak eye sight but has been gifted with a good smelling power because of which it can discern human beings from some distance. Most of the accidents to the people take place due to its poor eye sight as people unexpected come very near due to which the bear is frightened and it attacks in self defence. There are very few cases wherein the Bear deliberately attacked the human being is lingered. With these very nails which help him in climbing the trees the Bear climbs about 10 to 15 feet the ground to pluck sweet flowers and other fruits. its main food is insets and which it steals from the hives located on the ground or from small bushes. it climbs tree straight forward land comes down back first. Usually it is a very shy animal hence it is difficult to spot during the day time but at dusk it comes out in search of food. In Jessore Sanctuary, during the ber season ,lots of Bears come out din the open fields and eat the ber fruits. the bear prefers to stay in the cool caves amongst the rocks.

Bears are also common in Rajpipla Division in the area now declared as shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary.

JESSORE SLOTH BEAR SANCTUARY

Location:	Banaskantha Dist, 45 kms from Palanpur
Area :	180.66 Sq.km
Wildlife :	Sloth bear, Panther, Sambar, Nilgai, Wild boar, Porcupine, Varieties of birds.
Nearest Airport:	Ahmedabad 190 km
Railway station:	Palanpur 45 km
Best Season:	December-February
Accommodation:	1.Amirgadh PWD Store at 10 kms 2. dantiwada irrigation inspection bungalow and balaram holiday home both at l20 kms. from jessore. Inquiry :Dy. Conservator of Forests, Banaskantha Division, Palanpur - Phone 57084

RATANMAHAL SLOTH BEAR SANCTUARY

Location :	Panchmahals District, Limkheda Taluka, Ratanmahal Hills - 45 km from Baria
Area :	55.65 sq.km.
Wildlife :	Sloth bear, Panther, Chinkara, Nilgai, Wild boar, etc.
Near Airport :	Vadodara 115 Km
Railway station :	Piplod 47 km
Best Season :	Small Rest House at Pipargota village in Baria Division.
Accommodation :	December - March
Other facilities :	PWD Rest House at baria
Inquiry :	Dy. Conservator of Forests, Devgadh baria, Panchmahals - Phone 20425 OR Conservator of Forests, Vadodara Circle, Vadodara Phone 429748.

NALSAROVAR BIRD SANCTUARY

Gujarat is very lucky to have almost 425 species of birds, some of which are local migratory and the rest migratory from far off lands. keeping this in view, gujarat has done in its best to preserve the wetlands in their virginal beauty one of the well known bird sanctuaries in gujarat is the nalsarovar bird sanctuary.

Nalsarovar is a seasonal lake spread over an area of 115 sq.km. The Nal with its kristire beauty harbours more than 250 species of birds. It can truly be described as one of the largest well and habitats in the country which is a wonderful sight in winter when thousands and thousands of migraty birds, both water birds and waders visit the Nalsarovar to pass the harst winter months. Gujarat Government is doing its best to protect-this unique eco system and accordingly has declared it as a bird sanctuary. The flora of this region, through exewrtoplhytic is quite varied. it is estimated that about 80,000 to 90,000 visitors visit Sanctuary every year. A museum is is also coming up in this Sanctuary to impart basis knowledge on conservation and environmental to people.

NALSAROVAR BIRD SANCTUARY

Location Surendranagar Dist. 35 km from Ahmedabad on s.H. N.O. 8A Ahmedabad-Surendranagar Road.

Railway station :	Sanand - 10 km
Best Season:	November - February
Accommodation:	Forest Rest House is available at Nalsarovar and P.W.D Rest House at Sanand.

Other facilities:	Country boats with binoculars are available for the bird watchers.
Inquiry :	Conservator of Forests, Gandhinagar Circle, Sector 16, Gandhinagar. Phone 21951 or Range Forest Officer, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, At Vekaria, PO Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad.

VELAVADHAR NATIONAL PARK

The 35 square kilometre area of the national park is a flat grassland and is an ideal home for the black bucks. Here you can see this excellent animal. The make of this specie has long spiral horns and black and white livery. This makes him the most handsome of the antelopes. On the other hand, the female has no borns and her colour is brownish, fawn and white. Wolves can also be seen in this sanctuary.

VALAVADAR BLACK BUCK NATIONAL PARK

Location:	Bhavnagar District 65 Km from Bhavnagar on Vallabhipur Road, between Ahmedabad & Bhavnagar
Area:	34.08 sq.km
Wildlife:	Black Bucks, Wolves, Hares, Jackals, etc.
Nearest Airport:	Bhavnagar 65 km
Raiwlay station:	Bhavnagar 65 km
Best season:	November - May
Accommodation:	A tourist lodge is situated near the National Park. Facilities are available in intimated in advance.
Other facilities :	Circuit House at Bhavnagar
Inquiry:	Range Forest Officer, Valavadar Black Buck National Park at Velavadar, PO Vallabhipur, District Bhavnagar. Dy. Conservator of Forests, Bhavnagar Division, Bhavnagar - Phone 428644 OR Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Circle, Sardarbag, Junagadh - Phone 21678&24051.

BARDA LION SANCTUARY

Presently inhabited by wild boar, panther, spotted deer, sambat, neelgai and monkeys, the Barda Lion Sanctuary is about 14 Kms from Porbandar and covers an area of about 200 square kilometers. Under an ambitious scheme, lions are proposed to be brought here from Gir Forest.

BARDA LION SANCTUARY

Location:	Junagadh District about 14 kms from Porbandar and 0 km from Ranavav.
Area:	192.31 sq.km
Wildlife:	Wild board,Panther, Spotted deer, Sambar, Nilgai, Monkey.
Nearest Airport:	Porbandar 14 km
Railway station:	Ranavav 0 Km
Best season:	November to March
Accommodation :	Government Guest House at Ranavav, Panchayats Rest House and Government Villas at Porbandar, Private Vullas are also available at Porbandar.
Remarks:	This Sanctuary has no lions at present, but it is proposed to develop it as lion sanctuary by introduction of lions from Gir Forests.
Inquiry :	Assistant Conservator of Forests and Sanctuary Superintendent , Porbandar Phone 23368 OR Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Circle, Junagadh Phone 21678&24051

SHOOLPANESHWAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Under the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited, Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary has been selected for being taken up for management on scientific lines. One of the principal items of development is the reintroduction of ungulates because once upon a time so many of them were found in this area.

Location:	Bharuch District, Dediapada Taluka
Area:	607.70 sq.km
>Wildlife:	Sloth bear, Panther, Sambar, Four horned antelope. Hyaena and many varieties of birds.
Nearest Airport:	Vadodara 125 km
Railway Station:	Ankleshwar 60 km
Best season :	November to March
Accommodation:	Dediapada 30 kms PWD and Panchayat Rest House are there.
Other facilities:	Hotels at Rajpipla
Inquiry:	Deputy Conservator of Forests, Rajpipla(East), Rajpila-District Bharuch. Phone 20013.

VANSDA NATION PARK

Location:	Valsad - District about 40 km from Billimora
Area:	23.99 sq.km.
Wildlife :	Tiger, Panther, Wild boar, Hyaena, Sambar, Four horned antelope, etc.
Nearest Airport :	Bombay 320 KM, Baroda 200 KM
Railway Station :	Billimora 40 KM
Best season :	November - February
Accommodation :	Public Works Department's and Panchayat's Rest House at Vansda and Waghai Forest Rest House at Waghai.
Other facilities:
Inquiry:	1. Range Forest Officer, Vansda National Park, Vansda Dist. Valsad. 2. Dy. Conservator of Forests, South Dangs Ahwa, ist. DAngs - Phone 246 3. Dy. Conservator of Forests, Valsad Phone 54151

KUTCH DISTRICT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Location :	KUTCH DISTRICT :Aout 110 kms from Bhuj
Area :	7506.22 sq.km
Wildlife:	Flamingoes and variety of birds, chinkaras, wolves etc.
Nearest Airport :	Bhuj 110 kms
Railway Station :	Bhuj 110 Kms
Best Season :	October-May
Accommodation :	P.W.D. Rest House at Bhuj
Other Facilities :	Hotels at Bhuj
Enquiry :	Dy. Conservator of Forests, Kutch West Division Wildlife Sanctuary, yogeshwar, Ghansyamnagar, Bhuj-Phone 50236

GAGA Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary

Location :	Jamnagar district, 120 Kms from Jamnagar
Area :	3.33 Sq.Km
Wildlife :	Great Indian bustard, Lesser Floricans, Damoiselle Crane, Pelicans etc.
Nearest Airport :	Jamnagar Airport
Railway Station :	Jamnagar
Best Season:	October-January
Accommodation :	Public Works Department Rest House at Jamnagar
>Other facilities :	Hotels at Jamnagar
Enquiry :	Dy.Conservator of Forests, Bhutiya Bungalow Jawaharlal Nehru Marg,Jamnagar-Phone 553026 OR Conservator of Forest Officer, marine National Park, Ganjiwada, Nr. nagnath Police Gate, Jamnagar -Phone 552077