Velavadar in the Bhal region of Saurashtra is a unique grassland ecosystem that has attracted fame for the successful conservation of the Blackbuck, the wolf and the lesser Florican.

Once found in open plains throughout the country and the state of Gujarat, its largest population at present occurs in Velavadar National Park. The park spread over an area of 35 sq.kms, its grassland, the greenery and the quadrapeds are visible as far as the eye can see. The park has more than 1,000 Black Buck that can be viewed on the open grassland from very close range, though they are very shy in the presence of humans. This exclusively Indian animal, is perhaps, the most graceful and beautiful of its kind. It has ringed horns that have a spiral twist of three to four turns and are up to 70 cm long. The body's upper parts are black and the underparts & the ring around the eyes are white. The light brown female is usually hornless.

When the rut (mating season) reaches a peak, one dominant male establishes dominance and its a sight to see him strut around with its head held high with the horns almost touching its hack. After six months the mated females each hear one fawn, which are very well camouflaged in the grasslands. The fawn joins the herd along with the mother and remains with her for more than a year.

The fastest of the Indian Antelopes, they move-off in a series amazing leaps and hounds when threatened, and then break into a lightning run. The resultant picture is that of a graceful and experienced dancer whose form and grace can cast a spell on the beholder.

The wolf and the jackals are the main predators in the park. Wolves here use shrub land for lying, dinning and for rendezvous and depend on blackbuck, hare and other small animals as their prey. Another rare sight is that of the lesser Florican, which migrate and settle here to breed in the grasslands. After arrival, the male bird marks the territory and displays to attract the female. The courtship display of the male is a spectacular vertical leap up to a height of two meters and may display over 500 times in a day! Velavadar is also an excellent place to see a large number of harriers. The Park is very rich in other birdlife as well.

A word of praise would not be out of place for the Kathi community, who like the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan have protected the blackbuck with vigour and zeal, as it is associated with their past history of valor and religious practices. Such communities are the real strength of wildlife protection in Gujarat.

Contact Bhavnagar. Phone: 0278 428644.

Accomodation Tourist Lodge at the Park.
Reservation can be availed by writing in advance to the Assistant Forest Conservator, Velavadar Black Buck National Park, Velavadar. P.O. Vallabhipur, Bhavnagar.

Access
By Air Nearest airport is Bhavnagar airport. But all flights are direct to Mumbai.
By Road The park is about 65 Kms from Bhavnagar city, 315 kms from Rajkot city, 170 kms from Ahmedabad 45 kms from Vallabhipur Bus Stop (Bhavnagar District)
By Rail Nearest railway station is Bhavnagar railway station.