Marine (Gulf of Kutch) National Park – complete detail – updated

Marine (Gulf of Kutch) National Park – complete detail – updated. Major attractions at Marine (Gulf of Kutch) National Park. Dominant flora and fauna of Marine (Gulf of Kutch) National Park. How to reach Marine (Gulf of Kutch) National Park. The Marine National Park was was established in 1982 under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India.

Marine National Park is the first National Marine Park of India. The Marine National Park was established in 1982 under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India. Total area of the National park is about 162.89 km². 

There are 42 islands on the Jamnagar coast in the Marine (Gulf of Kutch) National Park , most of them surrounded by reefs. Major ecosystem types available are coral reefs, mangroves, mudflats, creeks, Sea grass, & Sea weeds, estuaries, sandy strands to saline grasslands, marshy areas and rocky shores. All ecosystems supports rich marine life & bird life………

National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife & biodiversity, and where activities like developmental, forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted. Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed.

Marine (Gulf of Kutch) National Park

Marine National Park (Gulf of Kutch) is situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Kachchh in the Jamnagar district of the state of Gujarat. Marine National Park is the first National Marine Park of India.

The Gulf of Kutch, located on the west coast of India is an arm of the Arabian Sea, and separates the Saurashtra peninsula from the Great and Little Rann of Kutch. It is about 58 km wide on the seaward (western) side, and 170 km wide in the eastern side.

Gulf of Kutch declared a (Protected area) wildlife sanctuary in 1980. Total area of the sanctuary is about 295.03 km².

The sanctuary lies in the intertidal zone, between the lowest and highest tide levels, the area that lies below water in high tide, and is exposed during low tide.

Click here to view state wise list of Indian national parks – updated

The Marine National Park was established in 1982 under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India. Total area of the National park is about 162.89 km².

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has declared this Park as category-II area in the list of important national park of the world-” published by them.

Major attractions

There are 42 islands on the Jamnagar coast in the Marine (Gulf of Kutch) National Park, most of them surrounded by reefs. Out of which 33 islands have coral reef. Some of the best known islands are Pirotan, Karubhar, Narara, and Poshitra.

There are islands with sandy beaches and mangrove swamps. These islands are a treasure-trove of marine species and a paradise for birdwatchers. There are a unique Marine eco-system is found in the Gulf of Kutch.

Some of the finest coral reef fringe islands are found at Pirotan, Narala, Ajad and Positara, often a surprise even to Gujaratis.

Major ecosystem types available are coral reefs, mangroves, mudflats, creeks, Sea grass & Sea weeds, estuaries, sandy strands to saline grasslands, marshy areas and rocky shores. All ecosystems supports rich marine life & bird life.

Sea mammal – About 37 Species

Sponges – About 70 Species

Fishes – About 200 Species

Prawns – About 27 Species

Crabs – About 30 Species

Mollusks – About 200 Species

Endangered sea turtle – About 03 Species

Sea snakes – About 03 Species

Birds – About 175 Species

Brown, Green & Red algae – About 105 Species

Corals – About 55 Species

Sea weeds – About 147 Species

These varieties of habitats support multitudes of fish, birds, reptiles and many other life forms.

Dominant Flora

Mangroves, Saag, Sesam, Kheru, Limda, swamp forests, mudflats, various types of sea grasses and sea weeds.

Sea grass beds dominated by family like Hydrocharitaceae and Potamogetonaceae and species Halodule uninervis, Cymodocea rotunds, C.Serulata ; Coral reefs; mangroves including Rhizophora muctonata, Avicennia alba, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Lumnitzera racemosa are also common in the stretch.

Dominant Fauna

Gangetic Dolphins, Giant Crabs, Ray Fish, rarely found Balooga whales, Giant Leather Back Turtles, Horn Fish, colorful corals and sponges, giant sea anemone, jelly fish, sea horse, octopus, pearl oyster, Portuguese man of war, starfish, dolphin, shark etc.

Common monitor lizard, Jackals, Jungle Cats, Dugong, Black Napped Hare, Green Sea-turtle, Leatherback Turtle etc.

State wise list of Wildlife Sanctuaries of India – updated 

Black-necked Ibis, Avocets, Phalaropes, Gulls, Terns, Kingfishers, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Painted storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, darters, flamingoes, avocets, ducks, White-tailed Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Black-shouldered Kite, Variable Wheatear, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Flamingo etc.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Marine national park is from end of October till end of February. You can also hire boats at jetties near Jamnagar for a trip to the Marine national park.

How to Reach Marine National Park

By Air – Nearest airport is Jamnagar airport located About 7 Km from the Marine National Park.

By Rail – The nearest railway stations are Jamnagar and Rajkot railway stations. These railway stations are well connected by road to Marine National Park.

By Road – The nearest bus stand is located at Jamnagar. 

By water – You can take a boat from Bedi port or Nava port in Jamnagar, for which you should arrive an hour before high tide, and schedule a couple of hours travel in each direction. Motor boats are also available at Salaya and Narara islands.  Recently the tourism at Pirotan has been banned by the department of tourism due to security reasons. But options are open for Narara islands.

Accommodation

Forest department has maintained a rest house located at just 8 kilometers from Jamnagar city.  There are many hotels and private lodging arrangements in Jamnagar with basic amenities required by the tourists.

Important contacts

Moti Khavdi
Jamnagar – 361 140, India

Phone:  +91 – 288 – 2344 416 / 17 / 80 / 90
Fax: +91 – 288 – 2344 417
Email: Contact Us
Website: www.expressworld.com/ehpl/eJamnew.htm

Hotel President
Teen Batti, Jamnagar -361 001 Gujarat

Phone:  91-288-557 4191
Fax: 91-288-558 491
Email: Contact Us

Aram Hotel
Pandit Nehru Marg,
Jamnagar – 361 008

Mepani Corporation
Teen Batti
Jamnagar – 361 001, India

Other National Parks in Gujarat. Name of National Parks, Year of Notification and Total Area is as follows…