Marine National Park

Place - Gujarat, in the weastern part of India.
Major Attractions - Migratory birds, Corals, Sea turtle
Area covered - 458 sq kms
Ideal Time to Visit the Park - December till May
Nearest Attractions -
Some Major accesses - Gandhi Nagar, Bhuj, Baroda, Dwaraka, Rann of Kutch.
Resorts near the park : The PWD rest house and several budget class hotels at Jamnagar which is approximately 30 km from the national park provide some of the best accommodation facilities with all basic amenities for the travelers.



Where is the Marine National Park
The Marine national park is located in the Gulf of Kuch 30 km from Jamnagar district in the western Indian state Gujarat. This is the first marine national park of the country. This protected area contains a large number of scattered islands on the Gulf of Kuch and mangrove forest.

The Climate in the Marine National Park
The National Park experiences a typically maritime climate with hot summer and mild cold winter.

Important Dates in the Marine’s history
This park started in the year 1980 when the entire park covered an area of 162.89 sq.km. Later in 1982 this was declared the first marine park of the country and now it consists of an area of 458 sq.km.



The Ecological System in the Marine National Park :
The Flora in Marine National Park
The park has dense mangrove forest with its tangled roots and densely packed leaves provide a natural habitat for several birds species.

The Fauna in the Marine National Park
Sea turtle, coral, octopuses, dolphins, eels and various types of fishes like puffer, butterfly, and star fish, brittle star, sand dollar, sea urchin and sea cucumber are the major marine lifes. Also one can find 40 species of sponges and Dugong, a marine mammal which resembles a seal. The world’s only four horned antelope the Chowsingha is also found on a large number.



The Avi-fauna in the Marine National Park
The national park houses several species of birds like crab plovers, terek sandpipiers, oystercatchers, sanderlings and 30 different species of migratory birds like herons, darters and one of the most threatened birds the great Indian bustard on a large number.



How to reach the Marine National Park
Air - The national park is about 338 km away from Ahmedabad. Various domestic airlines connect the capital city Ahmedabad, Gujarat with other major Indian destinations. Ahmedabad & Vadadora are the two major airports.

Rail - Western railway connects Ahmedabad from where the nationak park is easily accessible via Rajkot.

Road - State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect the national park to other cities of Gujarat. Ahmedabad is arround 338 km from the national park, Rajkot - 122 km and Jamnagar is 30 km away from the national park.