Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Gujarat, India. It is situated approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mile) from Porbandar and 100 kilometres (62 mile) west of Gir Forest National Park. Previous to its 1979 establishment as a wildlife sanctuary, Barda was a private reserve for Porbandar and Jamnagar. Approximately 4,000 people live in Barda.
Geography
Barda is 282 square kilometres (109 sq mile) in size with an altitude of 79.2–617.8 meters (260–2,027 ft) above sea level. The terrain is hilly and undulating; there are slopes and exposed rocks. The tropical climate is characterized by very hot summers. There are two rivers, Bileshvary River and Joghri River, and two dams, Khambala and Fodara.
Flora and fauna
There are several forest sub-types, such as southern tropical forest, southern dry mixed deciduous forest and northern tropical thorn forest, while other predominant flora include Euphorbia scrub, dry deciduous scrub, and dry bamboo brakes. Important fauna are blue bull, chinkara, and wolf. While Barda was known to have had a population of Asiatic lions, they deserted the area towards the end of the nineteenth century. A proposed reintroduction programme by the state government was cancelled.
- Country – India
- State – Gujarat
- District – Porbandar
- Area – 282 km2 (109 sq mile)
- Established – 1979
