Blackbuck National Park

The Blackbuck National Park is located around 72 km from the district headquarter city of Bhavnagar in Bhal region. In 1976, Government on India has declared aprox. 34 Sq.Km. 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.
The males are characterized by long horns in the shape of a corkscrew, black upper body covering fur with whites around the eyes, chin and for the underbelly. This variety of antelope is found only in Nepal, Pakistan and India and the Velavadar Sanctuary is one of the best places to watch it in action. They are active during the day and forage for grass in groups. It is one of the few animals held sacred by the Hindus and it is also known as Krishna Sara or Krishna Mrug. Males are generally heavier and larger in size than females, standing about 84 cms tall at the shoulders and about 120 cms in length, weighing about 40 kgs and females are proportionally smaller, weighing about 33 kgs. Blackbucks can run very fast at speeds of 80 km per hour if needed and it is a joy to watch them lope across grassy terrain as can be seen at the Velavadar Park.

The blackbuck for which the park was built in the grasslands on the northern shores. On being found only in South Asia, Blackbuck once lived all over India, and some are found outside of Gujarat. The protection of blackbuck here has been a major success, however, due to dependence on such a limited area, it remains endangered, but the local population has increased from the lower level of 200 in 1966 to about 3400. The reproduction season is October and February.