Indroda Nature Park is also known as the Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park. This park is part of the Sarita Udhyan, which is situated in the famous Indroda village in Sector 9. Animal species like deer, hare, porcupine, wild boar and various other mammals and reptiles can be seen at the park.
About Indroda Nature Park in Gandhinagar, Gujarat :
Situated in the southeast pocket of Gandhinagar, Indroda Nature Park (INP) is a beautiful example of how the ecological insight, planning and management skills of man can assist nature to thrive in its fullest glory. During the year 1970, the Forest Department of Gandhinagar initiated the plantation work in this area for ravine reclamation. Today the plantation has attained the shape of one of the most beautiful man-made forests. INP is now inhabited by a good number of birds, trees, shrubs, herbs, reptiles and mammals. The undulating terrain, with a background of a low-lying river provides for great scenic beauty.
Development of INP is aimed at imparting nature education to spread awareness about environmental conservation, providing opportunities of experiencing wilderness and protecting the rare and endangered species of animals and birds.
Presently the park occupies a total area of 428 ha, 157 ha along western bank of river Sabarmati and 271 ha along the eastern bank. On the eastern bank, the area has been divided into Aranya Park (208.50 ha) and Research Nursery (62.50 ha). The western park falls between Indroda and Dholakuva village and the eastern park between Shahpur and Basan village.
With the objective of developing Gandhinagar as the greenest city, it has been planned to develop INP as a compact block of dense forest having Natural History Museum, floral and faunal interpretation facilities. This block of the forest serves as a carbon sink and keeps carbon emissions in check and also brings environmental amelioration and makes the surrounding urban areas free of environmental pollution.
Dinosaur and Fossil Section :
Gujarat boasts of having one among the most abundant of dinosaur hatcheries in the world at Rahioli in Kheda district. This unique occurrence of dinosaur eggs, bones, skin impressions and even coprolites suggests a widespread presence of dinosaurs. A Dinosaur & Fossil Section has been created at INP to raise public awareness regarding the wealth of ancient fauna of Gujarat.
This park has been developed into three sections as per the geological periods Life-size models of dinosaurs like Brontosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Iguanodon, T-Rax, Rhamphornicus, Dienonycus, Ceradectylus, Rajasaurus narmadensis, Allosaurus etc., have been placed as per the period of their occurrence. Along with these models, the fossils of different dinosaurs, plants and other vertebrates and invertebrates have been collected from different parts of the state and exhibited here with their information.
Mammal Section :
At INP, a large number of mammals can be spotted in the zoo and also moving about freely in the wilderness. Tiger, leopard, spotted deer, sambar, blackbuck, chinkara, jackal, four-horned antelope and porcupines are kept in large enclosures. In addition to these, the wilderness created in an area of about 400 ha at INP, is inhabited by animals such as nilgai (blue bulls) and common langurs.
Avifauna Section :
The avifauna of the park is very popular amongst nature lovers and bird watchers, mainly due to the varieties of the birds, which have preferred the park as their ideal habitat. Around 201 species of birds can be sighted in the park, with about 65 of them naturally breeding in the park. The park can easily be considered as an area with one of the highest density of the peafowl.
Walk-in aviary :
The walk-in-aviary, where around 31 species of birds have been kept, is the biggest of its kind in entire Asia. Birds like painted stork, pelicans, spoonbills, night heron, cattle egrets, sarus, crane, demoiselle cranes, white ibis, black ibis, peacocks, white peacock, white necked storks, brahminy ducks, bar headed geese, comb duck, malards, pintails, little cormorants, water hen, partridge, stone curlew, common teal, Himalayan whistling teals and pond heron have made home in the environs of this aviary. Avifaunal interpretations have also been exhibited, which include evolution of birds, avifauna of forest eco-system, mangrove eco-system, wetlands eco-system, Sarus crane and Flamingo city.
Reptile Section :
Reptiles of 13 different species are kept in the reptile park. Around 68 reptiles such as crocodiles, snakes, tortoises and turtles are found. Venomous and non-venomous snakes and Indian Star Tortoise are some of the main attractions of the park.
Marine Section :
Skeletons of two blue whales (an adult and a juvenile), one dolphin and a dugong have been displayed with detailed interpretation in the Marine Section. One of the blue whale skeletons obtained from the coast of Khambhat in the year 1988 was brought to the park and it has been displayed near the snake house. The fossils of a large number of sea animals have also been displayed in the park to raise awareness about marine life.
Plant Section :
The entire land of the park on the western bank of river Sabarmati supports over 1.33 lakhs indigenous trees, interspersed with several ornamental exotic trees. Over 136 species of trees have been recorded in the wilderness park.
Botanical Garden :
The Botanical Garden at INP has been developed to increase the public awareness about plant science and medicinal plants. It aims at collecting, compiling, translating and publishing popular science works. It also provides a wonderful out-of-classroom experience for learning about plants to school students. It comprises of following 4 sections.
Arboretum is a collection of tree species, in the form of plantation with proper display of botanical details of the plant. There are 327 tree species identified in Gujarat state. The arboretum plot in the botanical garden is spread over an area of 2.5 ha. So far 250 tree species have been planted in this plot.
Cactus house contains more than 80 species of these succulent plants. The information about species, habitat, etc. is displayed for the knowledge of the visitors. The beautiful flowery plants are one of the major attractions.
Bamboo sanctum has all six species of bamboo found in Gujarat. It is being developed to raise all the species occurring in Western India and a few other species.
Medicinal plant plot has at least 250 species of plants having immense medicinal value with proper display of their information. These have been used for different ailments from time immemorial and are a matter of pride for our culture.