Vansda National Park Navsari |
About: |
The Vansda National Park at Navsari was established in 1979 in Navsari district of Gujarat. The Vansda National Park in Gujarat is spread over an area of 24 square kilometers, in the mountains of Western Ghats or Sahyadris. The Vansda National Park of Gujarat is extremely dense and harbors a wide variety of flora and fauna. The Vansda National Park is maintained by the government of Gujarat and a unique protected area of the state.The Vansda National Park in Gujarat has mainly moist deciduous and dry deciduous forest and bamboos, tall teak trees, orchids, mango groves and gigantic creepers are the predominant trees of the forest. At present the Vansda National Park at Gujarat has more than 250 species of plants including variety of rare wild animals.
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. During rainy reason, the park gets a heavy rainfall of over 2000 mm. which encourages the dense plant growth.The landscape is beautiful with trees, small streams and beautiful hills and valleys. Ambika river flows through the north eastern boundary of the park. Tourists have to get permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden, of Gandhinagar or DFO, Ahwa to visit the park. 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.Small creatures with their amazing diversity are the real treasure of the park. Among these are over 60 species of butterflies and 121 species of spiders. The largest of the spiders of Gujarat, the Giant wood spider is common here and around 30 species of snakes are found here. Besides there are numerous varieties of insects, centipedes, millipedes and snails as well as about 11 types of frogs and toads. The park is also inhabited by wild animals like leopards, python, four-horned antelope, mongooses, macaques, hyenas and a colorful species of birds. It is interesting to note that there are about 60 species of butterflies, 121 species of spiders and 30 species of snakes at Vansda, one of the most popular national parks in Gujarat, India.The local tribal people like Bhil, Gamit, Warli, Kokni, Kunbi and Dangi live in the Vansda region. The best time to visit the park is from the month of October to May. The nearest Airport is at Surat which is at a distance of 120 km. The nearest railway station is at Waghai at 4 km. You crane your neck to see the tops of the towering trees, the teak perhaps flowering, the bamboo brakes aplenty. The canopy is so thick you find parts of the forest in darkness, and are amazed to remember you are still in Gujarat, so lush and dense is the world around you. You see wild mango groves, perhaps even a wild relative of the banana plant, and weaving in between are gigantic creepers. You check abashedly behind you for dinosaurs. You stop short so as to not scare away the beautiful butterfly that has landed in front of you, and as it flies away, you are distracted and crouch, like a child, to watch a colorful centipede scurry its fuzzy way along. You begin to notice not only the giant trees but also the tiny creatures that fit between the cracks in the bark. Soon even the ferns and mushrooms on a rotting log seem like ornate decoration. You are surprised by an expanse of the Bharadi grasslands tucked away east of the center of the park. And at the Ambika river, you are enchanted by the varieties of orchids, delicate and colorful. |
Location info: |
Address:Vansda National Park, Navsari,Gujarat,India |
District:Navsari |
Nearest City: Surat |
Best time to visit: October to May |
Climate/Weather: |
The average maximum and minimum temperatures are 40 °C (104 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F) respectively |
History: |
It was declared as a protected area in April 1979, and we are fortunate that there has not been tree felling since as early as 1952.The 24 square km of this national park lie at the east end of the Navsari district in South Gujarat. It forms a continuous tract with both the forests of Valsad district to the south, and the forests in the Dangs to the east, which provide better access than from the Navsari side, so it is managed by the South Dangs Forest Division. It used to belong to the King of Vansda until he gave it to the state. |
Interesting things to do: |
Interesting things to Visit: |
Tribals: Ambika River: Purna Wildlife Sanctuary: Gandevi: |
Mobile range info: |
How to reach? |
Nearest Railway Station:Waghai railway station. The narrow gauge rail link connecting Ahwa to Billimora runs through the park, but ask around to check if its still functioning when you come here |
Nearest Airport:Surat, 120 km aiport |
Road Transport:The park lies close to National Highway 8 and is bisected by the Waghai-Vansda State Highway. The nearest town is Waghai, 4km away. It is 28 km from Ahwa, 40 km from Billimora, and 60 km from Saputara. The area is easiest explored with a private vehicle, but public transport is available, though less convenient. There are buses from Surat, Billimora, and Valsad to Vansda village, and from there you can hire a jeep to the park for about Rs 50/- per person. There are no taxi operations close to Vansda, but you can also get a cab from Surat, Bilimora or Valsad.By ST bus, Ahwa, the district headquarters and on a plateau from which begins the ascenscion from Waghai to Saputara, is often the most convenient place to arrive in the Dangs. |
Nearest Visiting places: |
Saputara Hill Station: Take a deep breath. Disappear. You have entered nature’s womb.In winter, at the spill of dawn, trek up to the Gandhi Shikhar as the river of light bathes the streams over undulating mountains and the drifting birds, into a magical dance of awakening.In rains, breathe in the rolling hills of Saputara, echoing green hues, lush with flowers, and watch the meditating rain drops sitting still on sloping leaves. Some of the thickest forest cover in the state envelops you.
In summer, walk carefree on the expanse of the Governor’s hill and see the sun dip into the Saputara lake as the sky begins to shimmer with stars.As your bus chugs uphill, crisscrossing over the Ambika river, you leave all the congestion of towns and cities far below you and enter the spirit world of tribal people. Nestled in the Sahyadri range, at an altitude of about 1000 m, this Dangi enclave derives its name from the Snake god revered by the tribals and translates as ‘the abode of serpents’, Saputara.In spite of being the only hill station of Gujarat, it is minimally commercialized, still unspoiled. Sanjan: Old Fort: Udvada: Dutch Garden: Sardar Patel Museum: Dastur Meherji-Rana Library: Dandi: |
Nearest Petrol Pump: |
Petrol Pump:Navsari,Gujarat,India
Hittu Tals petrol pump:Surat,Gujarat,India |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
Lords Park Inn International:Delhi Gate Ring Road,Surat,Gujarat,India,ph:0261 2413921
Budget Inn Bellevue:Near railway station,sumul dairy road,surat,Gujarat,ph:0261 2532121 Hotel President:Hajira Road,Near Ongc Char Rasta,Ichhapore,Surat,Gujarat,India,Ph:0261 2840006 |
Things to carry: |
Tips & Suggestions: |
Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:100 |
Nearest Hospital: Ramaben Hospital:Rustomwadi road,Navsari,Gujarat,India,ph:02637 257294 Civil Hospital:Gandevi,Navsari,Gujarat,India |
Society/Community Phone Number: |
Link:www.navsari.in |
Old Fort Surat |
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Navsari Nearest Surat |
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Udvada Nearest Surat |
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Sardar Vallabhai Patel Museum |
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Ukai Dam |
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Dutch Gardens |
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Tapi river |
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