Gujarat has
the distinction of creating the country’s first Marine National
Park spread over an area of nearly 458 sq.kms. in the Gulf of Kutch, 30
km. from Jamnagar.
Here
corals create fantasies in stone and are the master builders of the
Park. Their limestone fortresses – those found near the Pirotan
Islands and the rich moist deciduous forests like those found in the
dense forests of the Danes. One of the most threatened birds, the great
Indian bustard finds a refuge in certain pockets of protected areas. The
world’s only four-horned antelope, the chowsingha is found here in
healthy numbers. One of the largest herds of blackjacks grace the
grasslands of Velavadar and till recently Gujarat was the place where
flamingos nested in huge numbers. Dugong, a marine mammal which
resembles a seal, along with the rare Borolo species have found home in
the protected areas of the Marine National Park.
Each one the
work of a colony of countless tiny animals - come in an amazing variety
of shapes and sizes, from the convolutedbrain coral corals that look
like horns. Here you will find plants that look like animals and animals
that look like plants. Turtles, shrimp, sponge, eels, sea urchin lurk
among the corals and huge schools of fish create a brilliance of colors
that are unknown, unseen and unimaginable to us.
There are
fishes to be seen which puff-up when threatened, octopuses that mimic
the color and texture of the surroundings in the blink of an eyelid so
as to vanish without a trace.
There are Gobi's which clean
parasites from other fish and fishes who burrow so deep only their eyes
are seen. You will easily spot fishes that look like stars and spot
dolphins herding schools of fish for a hearty meal. Dugong, a marine
mammal which resembles a seal and the rare Boralia species are found in
these protected areas. At times it seems as if every life form here is
familiar with the art of magic as each seem to trick the other for food
and shelter. Above the waters, mangrove plants with their tangled roots
and densely packed leaves prevent land based predators from penetrating
but provide scores of birds with nesting and roosting sites. There is no
doubt that life in the coral reef is like witnessing a thousand rainbows
in a kaleidoscopic way.
