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SANCTUARY SPOTLIGHT

Vansda National Park

Vansda, which was established in 1979, derives its name from the royal family of the area. Nestled in the Western Ghats or Sahyadris, the park may be small, but its dense forests of moist deciduous and dry deciduous type are thick with bamboos, tall teak trees, mango groves and gigantic creepers.

This keeps part of the park dark even during the day. This is because Vansda sees a good deal of rainfall. The Ambika river flows through the north eastern boundary, which is home to some 250 species of plants, including many varieties of orchids. The park also has settlements of Bhil, Gamit, Warli, Kokni, Kunbi and Dangi tribes who add a rich cultural dimension to the place.

Also visit: The Gira waterfalls, the Botanical Gardens and wood workshop at Waghai, the Mahal forest (Purna Game Sanctuary), the hot-water spring at Unai, and Saputara (52 km), Gujarat's only hill station.

Area: 24 sq.km. in Navasari District of Gujarat

Mammals: Leopards, four-horned antelope, pangolin, rusty-spotted cats, jungle cat, civets, mongooses, macaques, barking deer, giant squirrel, hyena

Reptiles: Pythons and 30 other species of snakes and 121 species of spiders, including the giant wood spider

Birds: Great black woodpecker, Malabar trogon, shama and emerald dove, grey hornbill, racket-tailed drongo, paradise flycatcher, leaf birds, thrushes, sunbirds, pea fowls and 60 species of butterflies

Best time to visit: October- May

How to get there: Road: Waghai (4 km), Vansda lies close to the National Highway 8 and is bisected by the Waghai-Vansda State Highway.

Rail: Waghai (4 km) and Billimora (40 km). Air: Surat (120 km)

Where to stay: PWD and Panchayat guesthouses at Vansda and Waghai or at the Forest Rest House at Waghai. One can also stay at private hotels in Saputara (50 km)

Contact: Forests and Environment Department, 14/8, Sachivalaya,

Gandhinagar, Gujarat — 382010, Fax: 91-79-23252156 or Conservator of Forests, South Dangs, Ahwa district, Balsad.

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