National Parks of Gujarat

1. Gir National Park is situated about 65km South East of Junagarh district in Gujarat. The National Park was established on 18th September 1965 as a Forest Reserve primarily to conserve the Asiatic lion considered as one of the world's most threatened species. Now Gir National Park is the only remaining place in the world, where one is likely to see the Asiatic Lion. 

The Gir is a mixed deciduous type of forest with teak, ber, jamun, variety of acacia, particularly babul. It is a hilly track with plenty of rivers which offer a pleasant long drive to the visitors. The other wildlife that can be sighted in the sanctuary is the Chital or Spotted Deer, Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambhar, Black Bucks, the four horned Antelope, Wild Boar, Indian Flying Foe, Grey Musk Shrew, Indian Hare, Pale Hedgehog, Small Indian Mangoose, Small Indian Civet, Indian Pangolin, Indian Porcupine, Ratel, Indian Fox, and Jackal. The forest is also rich in bird life, and an estimated of 300 species are found inhabiting Gir National Park over the years

2. Marine National Park is India's first Marine Sanctuary and National Park. It is situated in the Gulf of Kutch, 30 Kms from Jamnagar. It covers a total area of 458 Sq Kms. The world's only four-horned antelope, the chowsingha is found in good numbers here. It is also home to one of the most sought after and endangered species of birds known as the Great Indian Bustard,

There are 7 species of mangroves here, performing vital functions such as maintaining the balance between salt and fresh water systems, and protecting the coast from erosion. The major flora include sea grass and sea weeds, Saag, Sesam , Kheru, Limda etc. and the major Fauna are Coral lichen, Coral sponge, Green sponge, Puffer Fish, turtles, dolphins, crabs, Prawns, Sea anemones, Jelly Fishes, Starfishes, octopus etc. In all, the area supports 37 species of hard and soft corals, 70 species of sponges, 150-200 species of fishes, 27 species of prawns, 30 species of crabs, more than 200 species of molluscs, 3 species of endangered sea turtles, 3 species of sea snakes, 3 species of sea mammal, 94 species of water birds, 78 species of terrestrial birds and 108 species of brown, green and red algae.

3. Vansda National Park The Vansda national Park established in 1979 in Navsari district, Gujarat. The Park covers an area of 24 sq.km and is nestled in the mountains of Western Ghats or Sahyadris. Eventhough the park is small, it is extremely dense and has a wide variety of flora and fauna. Some parts  of the park are dark even during daytime

The types of forest found in the park are mainly Moist deciduous and Dry deciduous covered with bamboos, tall teak trees, mango groves and gigantic creepers. In all there are over 250 species of plants, including many variety of Orchids. The forest is a habitat to Leopards, python, four-horned antelope, pangolin, rusty-spotted cats, Jungle Cat, Civets, Mongooses, Macaques, Barking Deer, giant squirrels, Hyenas and a wide species of birds like Great Black Woodpecker, Malabar Trogon, Shama and Emerald Dove, Grey Hornbill, Racket-Tailed Drongo, Paradise Flycatcher, Leaf birds, Thrushes, Sunbirds, peafowls etc.

4. Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar is the only tropical grassland in India recognized as a National park. Located in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, it covers an area of 34.08 Sq.kms. The Park has areas of dense grasslands, sparse grasslands, Prosopis shrubland, Saline lands and high tidal mudflats. 39 species of grasses and 46 species of sedges, shrubs and trees represent the diversity of flora. 

The fauna of the park comprises exclusively of Indian Blackbuck after which the sanctuary is named after. Other wildlife includes Antelope, Blue bull, Wolf, jackal, hyena, jungle cat, fox, Wild Boars and birds as well. All these animals can be viewed on the open Flat grassland from very close range.