Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary-Rajkot |
About: |
Located in Jasdan Taluka of Rajkot District, Hingolgadh Sanctuary is a green oasis in the dry plateau of Saurashtra. The Sanctuary is just 180 kms. away from Ahmedabad. Extending over a forest area of 654.07 ha., the sanctuary represents dry deciduous scrub forests where the trees of Acacia Senegal (Gorad), Mytenus emarginata (Vikalo), Acacia nilotica (Baval), Commiphora wightii (Gugal) etc. dominate the landscape. The area is hilly, rugged and undulating.
The landscape presents a magnificent mosaic of grasslands and scrub forests. The sanctuary gets full of life during rainy season with beautiful shades of green colour all around and the area buzzing with lifChinkarae and various life forms. Its a place where the savannah type of grasslands and the scrubby forests merge into each other and on undulating and rugged tracks through the lower plains to small hillocks.The sanctuary area was earlier known as 'Motisari vidi' and belong to the ex-princely state of Jasdan. As the name suggests, the area was a savannah type of grassland with widely scattered scrub trees. It was a hunting reserve for the royal family and was also used for grass collection. The area is reported to be having even leopards which were sighted right up to August 1991. The rolling grasslands of savannah type interspersed with dry deciduous thorny and scrubby forests are sure to leave behind an imprint on the minds of the visitors. The green lush patch of Hingolgadh sanctuary stands in stark contrast with the arid zone of neighboring areas of Saurashtra. Dry, deciduous scrub forest along with undulating verdant hills create a ubiquitous manifestation of nature’s glory. During rains the savannah lush grasslands blend with the green of the scrubby forest and perks up with various forms of life. The Sanctuary spread over an area of 654 sq kms, was declared a sanctuary in 1980. In 1984 its ample of natural offerings recognized the place as an eco-educational center and is administrated by the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation in Gandhinagar as the Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary. While the melodious singing of bulbul enchants you and the shy fox hidden behind a shrub attracts your attention, be cautious and aware of where you are standing and proximity with reptiles. This unique untamed garden of nature is also home to 19 species of snake and you being alert will make the trip a safe and memorable endeavor.Being a responsible nature lover is our way of showing reverence to Mother Earth. Unlike very few Wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat India, Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary organizes camps to create awareness amongst the local people, and tourists in general, about wildlife, its preservation, and environmental studies. The authorities are trying to strike a balance with environment and the whole eco system of the place at large. The topography is partly undulating and partly wastelands. Gujarat Ecological and Education research work has contributed a lot in the way of continuously mapping the progress of this sanctuary, undertaking major tree plantation projects and breeding of the natural habitats in the sanctuary. |
Location info: |
Address:Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary,Rajkot,Gujarat,India |
District: Rajkot |
Nearest City: Jasdan |
Best time to visit: October to March |
Climate/Weather: |
summer with temperature soaring up to 45 'C and proper care should be taken to avoid and kind of sickness. The winter in turn are quiet pleasant with average temperature dipping up to 12 'C |
History: |
The area was declared as a 'Private Forest' in 1973 and a 'Wildlife Sanctuary' in the year 1980 and has been given special protection since then. Owing to its unique nature education features, the task of management and development of the sanctuary was handed over to Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation, Gandhinagar in 1984 as the latter has the basic mandate of imparting nature and ecological education to all sections of the society. Since then, the sanctuary is being managed by GEER Foundation under the statutory control of the Chief Conservator of Forests of Gujarat. |
Interesting things to do: |
A visit to Hingolgadh Sanctuary is strongly recommended particularly during the rainy season when the scenic beauty is at its aesthetic best. However, the winter season is also a very good and pleasant time for visiting the sanctuary. The sanctuary provides limited lodging facilities for which prior permission and booking are necessary from the Range Forest Officer, Hingolgadh Wildlife Sanctuary. |
Interesting things to Visit: |
Flora: The sanctuary is rich in dry deciduous type of forests and comprises of various species of trees and plants. Some of the common trees found here are acacia senegal (gorad), acacia nilotica (baval), mytenus emarginata (vikalo), and many more. The sanctuary is full of various types of grasses and scrubs. During the rainy season, the place brims with life and everything looks quite greenish.
Fauna: Wildlife: The sanctuary is remarkably rich in birds with 230 species. The whole sanctuary is filled with melodies of bird chirping. The large groups of bulbuls attract everybody's attention with their metallic calls. Another interesting bird is the Weaver bird whose presence is most visible in the form of their typical hanging nests.The sanctuary has 19 species of snakes of which 3 are venomous and 16 non-venomous. Nature education: |
Mobile range info: |
How to reach? |
Nearest Railway Station:Rajkot railway station |
Nearest Airport:Rajkot airport at 45 Km |
Road Transport:State transport buses and Private Luxury coaches connects various centers of Gujarat. It is situated 45 Kms from Rajkot. The railway station and the bus station are at a distance of one km. Local Transport: Buses and taxis are available for travel within the city. |
Nearest Visiting places: |
Kaba Gandhi No Delo: Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Rajkot is the place where the Great Indian Leader, Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his stay in Rajkot in the early years of his life. Mahatma Gandhi's father, in the name of Karamchand Gandhi was also known as Kaba Gandhi. The name of the house has been derived form Gandhiji's father's name. Actually the words Kaba Gandhi No Delo literally means 'Kaba Gandhi's residence'.Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Gujarat has been built following the old and traditional styles of building houses and monuments.Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Rajkot is a masterpiece and an excellent work of art.Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Rajkot, which was Mahatma Gandhi's ancestral home, is now a permanent exhibition. The exhibition displays and houses the Gandhi Smriti. Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Rajkot is situated on Ghee Kanta Road at Rajkot. Rajkot was the formerly and initially the capital of the princely state of Saurastra, which is in Gujarat. Watson Museum: Rotary Midtown Doll’s Museum: Aji Dam Garden: Ishwariya Temple: Jubilee Garden: Swaminarayan Temple: The central figure of The Swaminarayan Temple at Rajkot in Gujarat in India is the Lord Swaminarayan. The idol set in the temple is a white idol of Lord Swaminarayan, beautifully clad in gorgeous cloth. The Swaminarayan temple follows some philosophical guidelines as set by the BAPS. They try to understand the five basic eternal units which comprises of Jiva, Ishwar, Maya, Brahman and Parabrahman. |
Nearest Petrol Pump: |
Petrol Bunk:Wankaner,Rajkot,Gujarat,India
Petrol Pump:Morbi,Rajkot,Gujarat,India |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
Hotel Samrat Internaitonal:37, KaranPara,Prahlad Plot,Rajkot,Gujarat,Ph:0281 2222269
Hotel Metro:Prahlad Plot,Rajkot,Gujarat,Ph:0281 2227712 Hotel Aditya:Opposite Rajashri Talkies,Bhupendra Road, Rajkot,Gujarat,India,ph:0281 2220003 Hotel Samrat Internaitonal:37, KaranPara,Prahlad Plot,Rajkot,Gujarat,india,ph:0281 2222269 Hotel Silver Palace:Dr Yagnik Rd,Jagnath Plot,Rajkot,Gujarat,India,ph:0281 2480005 |
Things to carry: |
Tips & Suggestions: |
Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:100 |
Nearest Hospital: Civil Hospital:Rajkot,Gujarat,India Om Babycare Hosiptal:Babulal Shah Marg,Nr. Jayhind Press,Rajkot,Gujarat,India,Ph:0281 2432727 HJ Doshi Hospital:Rajkot,Gujarat,India,ph:0281 2360531 |
Society/Community Phone Number: |
Link:www.gujarattourism.com |
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Chotila Chamunda Temple |
Chamunda - Chamunda mata or Rann-chandi ( warrior goddess ) is the goddess of power and another form of Durga.Her illusion is twinlike as she is also called Chandi-Chamunda. The fierce mother goddess has big eyes dressed in red and green adorned with garlands of flowers and in front of her is vehicle the Lion.Her temple is very famous in Gujrat on the moutain named Chotila.Two Demons named 'Chanda' and 'Munda' did great penance for many years to please Lord Brahma. When Brahma was pleased he apeared in front of them and the demons asked for being very strong warriors and that they would rule the world and take over heaven. Lord Brahma was merciful so he granted the wish.....more |
Kaba Gandhi No Delo |
Kaba Gandhi No Delo Rajkot is the place where the Great Indian Leader Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his stay in Rajkot in the early years of his life. Mahatma Gandhi father in the name of Karamchand Gandhi was also known as Kaba Gandhi. The name of the house has been derived form Gandhiji's father s name. In Gujarati the words Kaba Gandhi No Delo literally means Kaba Gandhi residence.How the residence got its name has an interesting reason behind it. Mahatma Gandhi father Karamchand Gandhi was popularly known as Kaba Gandhi. This is the reason why the house was named Kaba Gandhi No Delo, which mean s Kaba Gandhi residence. It is Gandhiji ancestral home and has now been renovated into a museum, which is called Gandhi Smriti and is a permanent exhibition place. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday. Kaba Gandhi No Delo is where India Father of the Nation grew up. You can easily locate the house in the old city of Ghee Kanta Road in Rajkot, which is one of the major tourist attractions in Gujarat....more |
Rotary Midtown Dolls Museum |
The Rotary Midtown Dolls Museum situated in the heart of Rajkot endeavors to showcase the manifestation of the cultural heritage and tradition through the medium of dolls. Spread over 9000 sq. ft., the Rajkot Dolls Museum began its journey on 24 July, 2004, and boasts of an awesome collection of dolls from about 93 countries across the world bearing the flag of their respective countries.The Rotary Dolls Museum of Rajkot allows both the adults and the children alike to enjoy over 1400 dolls that have ethnic values or are representative of the culture and tradition of the place of their origin. With love, concern and care for the communities, each of the dolls are marked in detail with their specialty and what it tries to manifest. This prompt the viewers and motivates them with more curiosity about the culture of various places and regions....more |
Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary |
The Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajkot was set up in the year 1988 by the Government, post its acquisition in the year 1975 by them. The Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajkot was granted the status of a reserve forest in the year of 1983. Prior to the year 1975, the Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajkot served as the shooting reserve that belonged to the former princely state of Wankaner also known as Central Saurashtra.Marked with fringes of hillocks around the bordering periphery of the arid shrubby plain land distinct with wild grass is the Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary got the status of Reserve Forest in the year 1983 before which it served as a shooting reserve that belonged to the former princely state of Wankaner also known as Central Saurashtra.....more |
Aji Dam Garden |
Aji Dam Garden Rajkot is a major Tourist Attraction in Rajkot. The Aji Dam Garden in Rajkot is a beautiful garden beside the Aji Dam. The garden is situated downstream and looks beautiful with lovely flower plants trees and different types of floras. The Aji Dam Garden in Rajkot in Gujarat in India also has amusement parks and zoos. There are food courts and children parks. In the amusement parks both the adults and the children can have a nice time. The Aji Dam Garden in Rajkot is a spot which is visited by people of all ages.Aji Dam Garden is maintained by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation. In the amusement park of the Aji Dam Garden people can spend a nice time trying out the rides and eating snacks at the food courts. The Aji Dam Garden at Rajkot in Gujarat in India also has a bird aviary, zoo and crocodile park. This garden is situated at a distance of eight kilometers from the city, on the outskirts which gives the visitors an opportunity to move around in serene tranquility. During the winter season the Aji Dam Garden, Rajkot looks more beautiful as the trees and the flowers are in full bloom.....more
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