Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar Gujarat

Hugging the coastline of the Gulf of Khambat on the southern side, the Blackbuck National Park spread over a 34 square kilometer area, is situated at a distance of 72 kilometers from Bhavnagar Town. This semi-arid bio-geographical zone consisting of flat land and dry grasses is surrounded by agricultural properties and wastelands on the northern side. Declared as a National Park in 1976, the Velavadar Blackbuck National Park is an exclusive home to many of these spiral-horned antelopes which can invariably seen bounding up out of these grasses. These golden grasslands under the deep blue skies lie close to the coast, where the wetlands are full of birds especially during the cool and quiet evenings.

Historic Importance

Formerly, these regions were the private property of the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, who would hunt blackbucks here with his famous hunting-cheetahs. These picturesque golden-fields which turn into several shades of green during monsoons, however, have often faced several bouts of droughts and cyclones in the historic past. These areas were found to be helpful in the conservation of the endangered blackbuck populations which were a mere 200 in 1966, rising to over 3,400 now. The Blackbuck National Park has proved to be a big success story for this native Indian antelope species.

Other Wildlife

Other animals located within the park include nilgai, jackal, wolf, jungle cat and fox. An exquisite birdlife found mostly in the southern coastal wetlands include pelicans, flamingos, cranes, white and painted storks, and the rare Lesser Florican and Stolizca's Bushchat. 

Although open throughout the year, mid-June to March-end is considered as the best time to be here. At a distance of 72 kilometers, Bhavnagar is the most convenient roadway, railhead and an air-route for tourists wanting to visit the Blackbuck National Park.