Blackbuck (Velavadar) National Park came up in 1976 in the Bhal region of Saurashtra, the park is located around 42 km from the district headquarters city of Bhavnagar.
Hugging the coasts of the Gulf of Khambhat on the south, it is spread over an area of 34.08 km².
It was primarily a “vidi” (grassland) of the Maharaja of the princely state of Bhavnagar for hunting the blackbucks with his famous hunting cheetahs.
On the northern side, it is surrounded by wastelands and agricultural fields. The National park has been classified as a 4B Gujarat-Rajwada biotic province of the semi-arid bio-geographical zone.
Flat land, dry grasses and herds of antelopes have always attracted visitors to this park which has a unique grassland ecosystem.
A successful conservation program for the Blackbuck, the Wolf and the Lesser Florican (a bustard) among others is ongoing.
Considered to be an exclusive Indian species, the Lesser Floricans, which were free dwellers throughout the country, have their numbers plummeting in the recent decades almost everywhere in India.
Today, the largest population has been sustained in this park. Local wolf numbers are increasing, as are Striped Hyena, with sightings quite frequent during daylight in winter 2012-2013.
Blackbuck (Velavadar) National Park- Rich Biodiversity
The sanctuary has been declared primarily for Blackbucks. The beauty of the grassland is enhanced by the movements of Blackbucks and Blue bulls, which one can see from long distances. The large herds of blackbucks are conspicuous by its presence in this grassland habitat.
The majestic blackbucks are less shy of human being here and one has a sure chance of watching them in their natural mood, leaping high in air, running, feeding, drinking water on water points, rutting and chasing each other happily. The herds of blackbucks are of different gender combinations like mixed male females, all males and all females.
The courtship process in blackbucks is quite similar to what used to be called “swayamvara” in good old days. The male has to fight with other males to win over the female. This fight, which is a common sight at Velavadar during the mating season, may even be a fight to finish leading to the death of the weaker animal. The animal attains adulthood at the age of two and a half to three years. The female gives birth to only a single offspring at a time.
Blackbuck (Velavadar) National Park- Relief Features .
A small wetland in the southern part of the Park attracts birds like Pelicans, Flamingoes, Ducks, Waders, Coots, White storks, Painted storks and Sarus cranes etc. Besides, The Park is a heaven for Demoiselle Cranes, Common Cranes and a variety of Raptors including Certag Spotted Eagles and Steppe Eagles. Moreover, The Park provides one of the world’s best roosting sites to thousands of Harriers that arrive here from Central Europe for wintering.
One can see the Peculiar courtship display by Lesser floricans.
Lesser florican is one of the fifty rarest birds of the world and the park has been supporting the breeding of quite a good number of this species.
An entirely different experience of the wildlife begins to transcend as the darkness falls.Above all the persistent howls of jackal add to the feeling of true wilderness. The long, deep, and threatening howls of wolves, occasionally penetrate the darkness.
Blackbuck (Velavadar) National Park-Rivers.
The grassland lies between two rivers namely Parvalia and Alang, which drain into the Gulf of Cambay.Moreover,The monsoon often floods the area.
The blackbuck herds are mostly found in the northern part of the sanctuary, while the southern part has patches of thorn forest providing excellent opportunities for bird watching (specially birds of prey).
The Alang river forms the southern border of the Park which is the favorite retreat for wolves. Tourists can easily go around the park on foot and with jeep also .
The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) also known as the Indian antelope. The blackbuck is the sole extant member of the genus Antilope. It stands up to 74 to 84 cm in height. Males weigh 20–57 kilograms while females are lighter, weighing 20–33 kilograms on an average. It can run at the speed of 50 kms/hr. Its life span is 10 to 15 years. IUCN tagged the blackbuck as Near Threatened.
Male Blackbuck:
Female Blackbuck:
Blackbuck (Velavadar) National Park Facts at a Glance:–
1. The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) also known as the Indian antelope.
2. The species was first described by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
3. Males blackbuck weight around 20–57 kilograms while females are lighter, weighing around 20–33 kilograms.
4. Male have ringed horns, 35–75 cms. long, though females may also have horns .
5. Herbivores blackbuck grazes on low grasses.
6. Females become sexually mature at eight months, but usually do not mate before two years. Males mature later, at one-and-a-half years.
7. Gestation is typically six months long, consequently which a single calf is born.
8. Its lifespan is typically 10 to 15 years.
9. IUCN tagged the blackbuck as Near Threatened.
10. Indian Govt has prohibited hunting of blackbuck under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
11. The blackbuck has 30 male chromosomes and 31 female chromosomes.
12. Major predators of blackbuck are Wolves, Cheetahs and pariah dogs.
13. Water is a daily requirement of the blackbuck so they prefer to stay near water.
Blackbuck (Velavadar) National Park- Blackbuck all details…..
14. In the Indian subcontinent, one can spot the blackbuck in deserts (in the northwestern region), coastal areas, and mountains (in the northern-northeastern region).
15. Blackbuck prefers a bit warm climate.
16. The blackbuck is active mainly during the day.
17. we can easily spot the Blackbuck in several protected areas of India, including:
- Gir Forest National Park and Velavadar Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat);
- National Chambal Sanctuary,
- Guindy National Park,
- Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (Bihar);
- Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary (Karnataka);
- Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary (Maharashtra);
- Ranthambhore National Park and Tal Chhapar Sanctuary (Rajasthan);
- Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary and Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu).
18. Blackbuck milk contains 6.9% protein, 9.3% fat, and 4.3% lactose.
19. The tentative numbers of blackbuck is between 40000 to 50000 in India.
20.It can run at the speed of 50 km/hr.