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Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary : |
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 Located in Jasdan Taluka of Rajkot District, Hingolgadh
Sanctuary is a green oasis in the dry plateau of Saurashtra. The
Sanctuary is just 180 kms. away from Ahmedabad. Extending over a
forest area of 654.07 ha., the sanctuary represents dry
deciduous scrub forests where the trees of Acacia Senegal (Gorad),
Mytenus emarginata (Vikalo), Acacia nilotica (Baval),
Commiphora
wightii (Gugal) etc. dominate the landscape. The area is hilly,
rugged and undulating. The landscape presents a magnificent
mosaic of grasslands and scrub forests. The sanctuary gets full
of life during rainy season with beautiful shades of green colour all around and the area buzzing with life and various
life forms. Its a place where the savannah type of grasslands
and the scrubby forests merge into each other and on undulating
and rugged tracks through the lower plains to small hillocks.
The sanctuary area was earlier known as 'Motisari vidi' and
belong to the ex-princ ely state of Jasdan. As the name suggests,
the area was a savannah type of grassland with widely scattered
scrub trees. It was a hunting reserve for the royal family and
was also used for grass collection. The area is reported to be
having even leopards which were sighted right up to August 1991.
The rolling grasslands of savannah type interspersed with dry
deciduous thorny and scrubby forests are sure to leave behind an
imprint on the minds of the visitors. |
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Management by GEER Foundation: |
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The area was declared as a 'Private Forest' in 1973 and a
'Wildlife Sanctuary' in the year 1980 and has been given special
protection since then. Owing to its unique nature education
features, the task of management and development of the
sanctuary was handed over to Gujarat Ecological Education and
Research (GEER) Foundation, Gandhinagar in 1984 as the latter
has the basic mandate of imparting nature and ecological
education to all sections of the society. Since then, the
sanctuary is being managed by GEER Foundation under the
statutory control of the Chief Conservator of Forests of
Gujarat. |
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The Wildlife at Hingolgadh Sanctuary: |
 Due to the presence of grasslands and scrub forests, the
sanctuary has a unique composition of wildlife. The most
prominent wildlife species are Chinkara (a herbivore), Nilgai (Bluebull),
Indian porcupine, Indian hare, Mongoose etc. Wolf - the top
predator of the grassland, is the main carnivore along with
Hyenas, Jackals etc. The unconfirmed presence of a leopard has
been occasionally reported by the local people.The sanctuary
is remarkably rich in birds with 230 species. The whole
sanctuary is filled with melodies of bird chirping. The large
groups of bulbuls attract everybody's attention with their
metallic calls. Another interesting bird is the Weaver bird
whose presence is most visible in the form of their typical
hanging nests.
The sanctuary has 19 species of snakes of which 3 are venomous
and 16 non-venomous.
The presence of savannah types of grasslands and the scrub
forests and the interesting fauna - particularly the remarkable
diversity of bird species - has rendered the sanctuary an ideal
place for nature education in a region which is otherwise dry.
The sanctuary also presents very interesting geological and
hydrological features. The smallness and the simplicity of
physical features enhance the educational value of the place
from
 he point of view of imparting nature education and
creating public awareness about conservation of forests and
wildlife. The small sanctuary of about 600 ha. provides a
valuable opportunity for observing physical features such as
hill-slopes, aspects, soil and soil erosion soil depth, drainage
lines and water-flow and the impact of these features on the
food chain comprising of vegetation (grasses, herbs, shrubs and
scrubby trees) and the animal world primarily supported by the
vegetation. In fact, the sanctuary is popularly known as Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary as nature education is one
of the basic objectives of its management. The sanctuary is
unique for its nature education value. |
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Nature Education: |
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- a sanctuary where simplicity is
the strength of the landscape |
 The presence of savannah types of grasslands and the scrub
forests and the interesting fauna - particularly the remarkable
diversity of bird species - has rendered the sanctuary an ideal
place for nature education in a region which is otherwise dry.
The sanctuary also presents very interesting geological and
hydrological features. The smallness and the simplicity of
physical features enhance the educational value of the place
from the point of view of imparting nature education and
creating public awareness about conservation of forests and
wildlife. The small sanctuary of about 600 ha. provides a
valuable opportunity for observing physical features such as
hill-slopes, aspects, soil and soil erosion soil depth, drainage
lines and water-flow and the impact of these features on the
food chain comprising of vegetation (grasses, herbs, shrubs and
scrubby trees) and the animal world primarily supported by the
vegetation. In fact, the sanctuary is popularly known as
Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary as nature education is one
of the basic objectives of its management. The sanctuary is
unique for its nature education value.
GEER Foundation which is committed to ecological and nature
education has been holding about 50 to 75 nature education camps
in Hingolgadh Wildlife Sanctuary for school and college children
covering about 2500 to 3750 students and 100 to 150 teachers
every year. The duration of each camp extends over 3 days and 2
nights. Each camp comprises of 50 students and at least two
teachers. To facilitate these camps, a camping site has been
developed in the sanctuary. Since 1984, total 1,145 nature
education camps were organised and around 65,000 participants
were benefited. |
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Cactii house and snake house: |
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With a view to impart awareness about nature, a cacti house and
snake house have also been developed. |
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A visit to Hingolgadh Sanctuary: |
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A visit to Hingolgadh Sanctuary is strongly recommended
particularly during the rainy season when the scenic beauty is
at its aesthetic best. However, the winter season is also a very
good and pleasant time for visiting the sanctuary. The sanctuary
provides limited lodging facilities for which prior permission
and booking are necessary from the Range Forest Officer,
Hingolgadh Wildlife Sanctuary. |
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| Entry fee for
(per entry) |
Indians
(Rs.) |
Foreigners
(US $) |
| I. Adult |
10.00 |
5.00 |
| II. Children
(Age 3 to 12 years) |
2.00 |
5.00 |
| Entry fee for
Vehicles (per entry) |
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| I. Car, Jeep,
Metador |
20.00 |
5.00 |
| II. Mini bus,
Tractor, |
50.00 |
10.00 |
| Medium & Heavy
vehicles |
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| I. Two & Three
wheelers |
10.00 |
2.00 |
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Contact : |
Range Forest Officer,
Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary
Hingolgadh
Post: Amarapur, Taluka: Jasdan,
District : Rajkot
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