Blackbuck National Park

Blackbuck National Park at Velavadar is situated near Vallabhipur (Vallabhi) in the Bhavnagar District of Gujarat state.

Understand

History

The Blackbuck National Park is around 50 km from the district headquarter city of Bhavnagar in Bhal region. In 1976, Government of India declared approx. 34 km² of grassland as National Park. The movements of blackbucks and nilgais (Blue bull) increase beauty of this park. The blackbuck is most famous for its jumping over the levels of grass. Since it is grassland, beauty of this park can be seen from long distant.

Landscape

The park is surrounded Gulf of Khambhat on the south and by wastelands and agriculture fields on the other sides. It was grassland of the Maharaja of the princely state of Bhavnagar. The national park has been classified as 4B Gujarat-Rajwada biotic province of semi-arid bio-geographical zone.

Flora and fauna

The distinctive horns of the Blackbuck are ringed with 1 to 4 spiral turns, rarely more than 4 turns, and can be as long as 28 inches (79 cm). A trophy Blackbuck is over 18 inches. In the male, the upper body is black (dark brown), and the belly and eye rings are white. The light-brown female is usually hornless. Blackbucks usually roam the plains in herds of 15 to 20 animals with one dominant male.

On the open plain, the Blackbuck is one of the fastest animals and can outrun most predators over long distances. Its chief predator was the now extinct Indian Cheetah. It is now sometimes preyed upon by wolves, feral dogs, etc.

The diet of the Blackbuck consists mostly of grasses, although it does eat pods, flowers and fruits to supplement its diet. The maximum life span recorded is 16 years and the average is 12 years. Mating season of the Black Buck rests from August to October and March to April.

Climate

Climate of Velavadar as same as climate of Bhavnagar.

Get in

Bhavnagar is connected by daily flights, daily train and daily private buses (sleeper/setting, AC/Non-AC) to Mumbai. The airline is Air Deccan. Most people in Gujarat travel by private buses (these are excellent modes of transport as the roads are among the best in India). Hiring a taxi from Bhavnagar is the most convenient way to visit National Park. Taxis can be picked up from the taxi stand near Ganga Jalia Talav.

Fees and permits

Entry fees in the park as of 2019. More information can be provided by reception. ☏ +91 63 53 21 51 51, ☏ +91 63 53 21 52 52, range forest officer ☏ +91 63 53 21 53 53.

	Indian ₹	Non-Indian (equivalent ₹ of $)
Entry fee for:
Adult	40	10
Child (3 to 12 years) and school tour	20	5
Vehicle entry fee:
Car (up to 6 persons)	400 (500 on weekends)	40
Very small bus (up to 15 persons )	1000	100
Mini-bus, bus (up to 60 persons)	3500 (4375 on weekends)	350
Guide fee:	400
First four hours per vehicle	400	100
Every additional hour per vehicle:	50	40
Filming & photography fee:
Non-professional movie or video camera	0	0
Still camera photography (professional)	200	20

Do

The park can be best toured by safari Experience of the wildlife like howls of jackal add to the feeling of true wilderness as the darkness falls.

Eat

Park officials (in the guest house) also provide food on request as follows:

	Indian ₹	Non-Indian (equivalent ₹ of $)
Lunch or dinner charges:
Vegetarian lunch or dinner	150	7
Non-vegetarian lunch or dinner	NA	NA
Vegetarian breakfast	80	2
Non-vegetarian breakfast	NA	NA
Tea or coffee	14	1

Boarding

Very nice guest house of Forest department is there. It is utilised for florican breeding so tourist booking is not done. ☏ +91 278 2426425.
Rates of guest house are

	Indian ₹	Non Indian (Equivalent ₹ of $)
Rate for Guest house (Per day)
AC room	3000	150
Non-AC room	1000	100
Dormitory	1350	90
Tent
Camp Charges :
Number of beneficiary up to 35	2000	0
Number of beneficiary up to 70	5000	0

Jubilee Hotels Pvt Ltd, Bhavnagar
Nilambagh Palace Hotel, Bhavnagar
Hotel Sun 'n' Shine, Bhavnagar
Hotel Apollo, Bhavnagar
Hotel White Rose, Bhavnagar
Bluehill Hotel, Bhavnagar
Resorts near the national park can online booked
Blackbuck Safari Lodge

Camping

Four camp rooms, dormitory facilities, an orientation center and a campsite for nature education activities are available at the park. For more detail contact to Officer-in-Charge of the park (Assistant Conservator of Forests) ☏ +91 6353215151.

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