About Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary Porbandar, Gujarat :
The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of two districts – Porbandar and Jamnagar, and therefore it is also known as Rana Barda and Jam Barda. The sanctuary spreads over an area of 192.31 sq. km of lush green fauna overlooking the Arabian Sea. The Sanctuary was built as an initiative by the Indian government to safeguard Asiatic Lion.
This beautiful forest was declared as a ‘Sanctuary’ in the year 1979 and houses a number of endangered flora and fauna. Lion, Spotted deer, Leopard, hyena, wild boar, wolf, jackal, blue bull, crocodiles and snakes are some of the animals dwelling in Barda Wildlife Sanctuary whereas; migratory birds like flamingos, spotted eagles and crested eagles also visit this place.
Bileshvary and Joghri are the two rivers flowing through the Sanctuary and there are also two significant dams: Khambala and Fodara, in the Sanctuary. The authorities are further planning a project for lion conservation which includes a laboratory and captive gene pools. This atmosphere of divine beauty forms the ideal place for wildlife photography and bird watching!Declared as a natural reserve in 1979, the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is home to various endangered species of animals. Spread over the districts of Porbandar and Jamnagar, it is one of the popular tourist destinations of Gujarat.
The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, over looking the Arabian Sea, is located at a distance of 15 kilometers from Porbandar. Being a part of the ex-princely private State of Ranavava and Jamnagar, it is also known as Rana Barda and Jam Barda. In the year 1979, this beautiful destination, with rich flora and fauna, located in Porbandar and Jamnagar districts, was marked as a sanctuary.
Spread on a wide area of 192.31 sq. km., the sanctuary is made up of lush green forests. Its hilly tract ranges between 79.2 meters to 617.8 meters above sea level. The sanctuary is surrounded by dams, runnels and narrow streams, which crisscross the gentle slopes and bulging rocks. Bileshvary and Joghri are the two rivers found running through the sanctuary. These rivers depend upon the monsoon rains and other water sources. The two dams near the sanctuary are Khambala and Fodara.
The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary at Porbandar is home to a number of endangered species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Its rich flora has a collection of various species of medicinal plants. Once home to the Asiatic Lion, the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is now inhabited by lions, leopards, ratels, wolfs and species of deer including chinkaras, chittals (Spotted deers) and Sambhar. Apart from these, beautiful birds, including the migratory flamingos, spotted eagles and crested eagles can be spotted in this natural reserve of Gujarat. Amongst the reptiles, snakes, crocodiles and chameleons are commonly found here. It is said that of the four highly poisonous snake species found in India, three can be found here.
The Barda Wild Life Sanctuary in Porbandar, Gujarat, not only provides home to the endangered species of animals but also provides ecological security and stability to the neighboring regions. It is also a well-known destination amongst both the ornithologists and the tourists.
Wildlife at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary :
The sanctuary is enriched with various species of plants and trees that are hard to find somewhere else. The diversity in the vegetation cover has attracted various geologists towards the place in search for natural remedies to various ailments.
Various species of animals like leopard, wolf, crocodile, chameleon, snakes, ratel, spotted deer, chinkara, sambar etc. dwell in this sanctuary. Earlier, Asiatic lions were found here but now they have been mover to the Gir sanctuary. One can also see various types of birds like spotted eagle, crested hawk-eagle and many more.
Best time to visit Porbandar :
The city of Porbandar has a moderate climate, unlike the regions in the rest of the state. The basic seasons are those of summer, winter and monsoon. Due to its location near the coast, the weather in Porbandar is generally breezy and you can visit the city throughout the year.
Summers in the city of Porbandar start during the month of March and continue through the months of April, May and June. Temperatures can escalate to levels of around forty degrees (40°C) and the minimum temperature will range around twenty three degrees (23°C) during the summer months. Temperatures in Porbandar can rise to a maximum of around forty four degrees (44°C) too.
The city of Porbandar has an unpredictable monsoon. Rainfall is heavy during some years and sparse otherwise. The city experiences very strong winds during the monsoon season, and rainfall is normally very heavy when it does occur. Thunderstorms in Porbandar are also fairly frequent. Monsoon months in Porbandar are between July and September.
Winters in the city of Porbandar normally extend through the months of October, November, December and January. This is the best time to visit the place, although the climate is good throughout the year. Maximum temperatures during the winter will be around thirty six degrees (36°C) and the minimum temperature will range around ten degrees (10°C).
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is from October to December as the weather is cool and pleasant.
How to Reach Barda Wildlife Sanctuary :
Rail- The closest railway station is located at Porbandar, which is at a distance of 20kms from the sanctuary.
Air- The closest airport is situated at Porbandar (20kms).
Road- The place is well connected by road and the closest bus station is located at Ranavav (8kms).
Date of Establishment- 1979.
Area Covered- 192.31square.kilometers.
Location- The sanctuary is situated around 15kilometers from the town of Porbander that faces the Arabian Sea.