Marine National Park

The Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary is India’s first Marine National Park. It was established in 1982. Marine Sanctuary is one of the key wildlife attractions in Gujarat which showcases the varied maritime flora and fauna of this region.

Details about Marine National Park

The Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary is India’s first Marine National Park. It was established in 1982.

Marine Sanctuary is one of the key wildlife attractions in Gujarat which showcases the varied maritime flora and fauna of this region. Marine Park is situated on the south coast of the Gulf of Kutch.

The setting of Marine national park showcases diversities of coral reef flora and fauna and mangrove cultivated area. In Marine National Park of Gujarat six mangrove species can be seen. Marine National Park is purely a vivid and appealing place for wildlife lovers.

In this Gulf of Kutch region, 42 different islands are located like small gems amidst the Arabian ocean. The islands of the Marine National Park are heaven for the birdwatchers and the real treasure for marine species these are fringed by exotic coral reefs, beautiful sandy beaches along with mangrove swamps.

Out of these 42 islands, the well-known one is Pirotan Island previously called as Pir Jo Thaan which means the holy place of the renowned Saint Khwaja Khizer RahmatAllah).

Wildlife in Marine National Park

The major attractions of Marine Sanctuary are Avicennia Alba, Avicennia marina, Avicennia officianalis, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora mucronata and Aegiceros corniculata.

Marine National Park is a nesting place for various avian species. One may see egrets, herons, ibises, ducks, spoonbills, gulls and also the little cormorants in Marine National Park in Gujarat. The world’s only four horned antelope Chowsingha is spotted here is very good numbers.

Dugong – marine creature which looks like a seal is also found in Marine Sanctuary along with turtles, sponge, shrimp, eels and sea urchin. The very rare Borolo species can also be spotted in the protected areas of the park. Here wildlife enthusiastic can view jelly fish, octopus, star fish, colorful corals, interesting maritime flowering plants, sea horse, puffer fish, enormous green sea turtles, dolphins and lobsters etc.

The Marine Sanctuary region is known for following attractions –

• Outstanding Coral Reefs
• 37 Soft & Hard Corals species
• 70 Sponges species
• 27 Prawns species
• 30 Crabs species
• 200 Molluscs species
• very rare Sea Turtles as the Green Sea, Oliver Riddley and also Leather Back.
• Three Species of Sea animals
• 94 Water Birds species
• 78 terrestrial birds species
• 108 brown, green & red Algae species

Birding in & around Marine National Park and Jamnagar

Jamnagar is a real paradise for the bird lovers and it is the only place in entire India where you can find Crab Plovers in massive flocks. Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is a great place to spot many birds as it is a very unique place of wetland which has water of sea on one side and on other side the fresh. There are few water tanks near to Jamnagar which good place for bird watching.

Charakhala Salt Pans region is famous for flamingos, grebs, pelicans, ducks and terns, etc. Charakhala Salt Pans is one of the some regions of Indian peninsula there one can spot the nesting of Caspian Tern. The other interesting places for birding are Narara Island. Pirotan Island, Barda hills Sanctuary, Lakhota Lake and Dhichda.

The other places of interest in Jamnagar

Bala Hanuman temple, Bhidbanjan Temple, Shiva temples, Jain temples, Samshaan & the Circle of Life, ancient towers and Gates, Solarium and Darbargarh area etc.

How to reach Marine National Park

Air: Jamnagar airport is 10 KMS away from Marine Sanctuary

Rail: Jamnagar 10 KMS

Road: Rajkot 90 KMS, Ahmedabad 300 KMS