Gujarat is a paradise for bird-watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Deciduous forests, desert plains, grasslands, wetlands and coastal and marine locations have made Gujarat one of the most pleasant place for bird watching. There are about four national parks and twenty one wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat. Some of the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are the Marine National Park, Gir National Park, Indian Wild Ass Wildlife sanctuary, Velavadar National Park. Nalsarovar, Khijadia Bird Sanctuary and the Porbandar Bird sanctuary are the other bird sanctuaries in Gujarat.
 

Marine National Park is situated offshore from the southern coast of the Gulf of Kutch in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat. This national park consists of an archipelago of 42 islands. This park was declared as the first marine national park in India in 1982. Colourful coral reefs, mangrove swamp forests, mudflats and rocky shoals are found on the islands. Octopus, sea hare, shelled mollusks, sea slug, sea cucumber, star fish, brittle star, feather star, dolphins, sea turtles and various coastal birds can be seen in this park. More Information on Marine National Park

Gir National Park and wildlife sanctuary is located about 65 km south east in the Junagadh district of Gujarat. Gir National Park is the last abode of the Asiatic lion. The deciduous forests, grasslands, acacia scrub, wetlands and the seven rivers feed this 1412 square km wildlife reserve. Various animals like panther, sambar, spotted deer, chousingha, nilgai, Chinkara gazelle, wild boar, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, black napped hare, langur, mongoose and birds and crocodiles are found in this sanctuary. More Information on Gir National Park

The entire Little Rann of Kutch, also known as the Indian Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. This is the only sanctuary in India which is the home of the Asiatic wild ass. The Chinkara gazelle, Nilgai antelope, the endangered Indian wolf, jackal, desert and Indian foxes, lesser wild cats, hare, desert gerbil and hedgehog are the various animals which are found in the Little Rann of Kutch. Various species of dry land and wetland birds and reptiles are also available in plenty in this sanctuary. More Information on Indian Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary

Velavadar National Park is located in the Bhal region of Saurashtra at Velavadar, about 72 kms from Bhavnagar. This park is one of the best national park in India to view the blackbuck, wolf and the Lesser Florican. February and March are the best season to view the blackbucks at Velavadar. The national park also provides a suitable habitat for the jackal, Indian fox, jungle cat, blue bull antelope and hare, and also attracts a large number of migratory birds in the winter. Evening is the best time to view these animals at the Velavadar national park. More Information on Velavadar National Park

Nalsarovar and Thol lake, about 80 and 40 km from Ahmedabad’s city center, are the famous bird sanctuaries in Gujarat. Nalsarovar is a seasonal lake spread over an area of 115 square km. About more than 250 species of birds are found in the sanctuary. About thousand species of birds like flamingoes and other water birds migrate during winter. Various variety of birds like kingfishers, egrets, darters, storks, cormorants, jacanas, moorehens, coots, grebes and ducks can be seen at such places.