Blackbuck National Park

History

The Blackbuck National Park is around 72 km from the district headquarter city of Bhavnagar in Bhal region. In 1976, Government of India has declared approx. 34 km² of grassland as National Park Blackbuck. 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.

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.

Entry fees in the park are as follow.

	Indian ₹	Non-Indian (equivalent ₹ of $)
400
Adult	40	10
Child (3 to 12 years) and school tour	20	5
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
First four hours per vehicle	400	100
Every additional hour per vehicle:	50	40
Non-professional movie or video camera	0	0
Still camera photography (professional)	200	20

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

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

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

• Very nice guest house of Forest department Phone : (O) 0278 2426425. Rates of gust house are

	Indian ₹	Non Indian (Equivalent ₹ of $)
AC room	3000	150
Non-AC room	1000	100
Dormitory	1350	90
Tent
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

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) Phone: (O) 0278 2426425.