for here is nature’s bounty. Besides being the led refuge of the majestic Asiatic Lion and the Wild Ass, Gt4arars bird sanctuaries are homing ground for flamingoes, pelicans and a host of other residential and migratory species.
The Asiatic Lion that once inhabited a wide stretch of land from Greece to India, covering Asia Minor and Persia, is, today, confined to the arid stretches of the Sasangir Sanctuary. Of the other predatory species, the panther and the hyena too can.be chanced upon. A peacock strutting about is a common sight here. Sambas, Cheetal (spotted deer), Nilgai, Chinkara and even the four-horned antelope can be found. An added attraction is a crocodile farm opened in the forest. Meet the local inhabitants who migrated from Africa generations ago — experience their unique lifestyle and their dances. The sanctuary is open to visitors from mid-October to mid-June.
The stark and barren land of salt flats and caked mud at Kutch in the furthest north-west corner of Gujarat is home to the rare wild
ass.
This and zone transforms into an island in the monsoons. Of the carnivores that stalk this stretch are panthers and wolves. Blackbuck, bluebell and wild boar too can be commonly spotted. This sanctuary is open to visitors from February to May-
The azure sky gets dotted in delicate white and pink as flock after flock of flamingoes descends on the Gulf of Kutch at Khavela. The Gulf is like an inland sea and is perfect for flamingo colonies, pelicans and avocets too. This is flamingo city. The ornithologist in you can indulge itself at the Nal Sarovar too.
Visit the blackbuck at the Velavadhar National Park; the panther, wild boar and spotted deer at Banda Sanctuary; the four-horned antelope and tiger at Vansda or the sloth bear and porcupines at.the Jassore or Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuaries. Located on the west coast of Saurashtra, is the Marine National Park in Jamnagar. It provides a bonanza of marine life — a rich collection of coral, natural pearls of good size, sea turtles, star fish, buffer fish and many other rare species too.
