Vansda National Park

About The Place: This 24km National Park was once the private property of the King of Vansda. The tall trees making a thick canopy making the ground dark even during mid-day is a unique aspect of these forests unlike the other forests in Gujarat. The generous rainfall has aided the growth of teak and bamboo growth creating the cool shadows. Vansda Park in fact is a fertile ground for over 450 species of plants of which 443 are flowering plants.

Wild animals such as tiger, wild dog, otter, sloth bear and sambar used to abound in Vansda but sadly they are almost completely absent now. Instead, leopard, hyena, chital, chausinga, jungle cat, common palm civet, mongoose, macaque, barking deer, wild boar, langur, porcupine, flying squirrel, flying fox, pangolin, rusty-spotted cast are all found in Vansda now.

However, the main draw at Vansda is its birds. This bird watchers paradise showcases 115 species of birds, including the racket-tailed drongo, paradise flycatcher, pompadour pigeon, grey hornbill, jungle babbler, yellow back sunbird, leaf birds, thrushes, peafowls, as well as the globally threatened forest spotted owlet, and birds found only in the Western Ghats, like the Indian great black woodpecker, Malabar trogon, shama, emerald dove.

Look out for: Racket-Tailed Drongo, Paradise Flycatcher, Pompadour Pigeon, Grey Hornbill, Jungle Babbler and Yellow Back Sunbird

Be one of few to record: Indian Pitta

Seasons: Pre-monsoon to winter

Recommended time in the field: 2 Days

Tips

The best time to visit is from the pre-monsoon season to winter, when the forest is at its most lush and the streams are full.

You will most likely see more birds and plant-life than wild animals, but if you keep your eyes sharp, especially if you have some experience, look out for tracks and droppings through which to learn about the lives of the animals.

Ahwa, 28 km away, has more facilities. Saputara also has comfortable facilities and is often used as a base to explore the area, but is 60 km away. In Waghai, the nearest town to the park, 4 km away, the facilities are more basic, but also more charming, and can serve as an appealing alternative base.

For more updates you can visit on Website: https://forests.gujarat.gov.in/wildlife-sanctuaries.htm

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