Gujarat – the Land of the Legends – stands bordered by Pakistan and Rajasthan in the north east, Madhya Pradesh in the east, and Maharashtra and the Union territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli in the south. The Arabian Sea borders the state both to the west and the south west.
Many great cities of antiquity around the world were the centre of their civilisation for centuries, only to be lost to the ages, and then rediscovered centuries or millennia later, reduced to rubble and ruins, with only the largest structures still standing, and the rest mere shadows.
While Gir is most famous for its lions, the park is one of the most diverse places in Gujarat, both in flora and fauna. Outside of Africa, this is the only place with wild lions. The local Maldhari community has lived here for generations and coexists magnificently with the wilderness.
Purna has the thickest forest cover in the state, and the highest average rainfall, at 2500 mm. At sunset, the 160 square km of lush rolling hills, teak and bamboo fill with the music and drums of the Dangi tribes that also populate Vansda. The main village of Mahal is at the centre of the sanctuary on the banks of the Purna River, with a forest rest house.
Nestled in the Sahyadri range, at an altitude of about 1000 metres, Saputara is a beautiful and densely wooded hill sta tion town situated in the Dangs district of southern tip of Gujarat. Saputara means the 'Abode of Serpents' and a snake image on the banks of the river Sarpagana is worshiped by the Adivasis on festivals like Holi. It is the only hill station of Gujarat.
The 24 square km national park lies east of Navsari district in South Gujarat. It forms a continuous tract with both the forests of Valsad district to the south and the forests of Dangs to the east. The park is managed by the South Dangs Forest Division. It used to belong to the King of Vansda until he gave it to the state. It was declared as a protected area in April 1979.