Road Journeys – Dwarka to Jamnagar: Narara Marine National Park & Sanctuary

After visiting the very exotic Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary we reached our hotel at Jamnagar by evening. My wife immediately reached at the balcony, while I was counting money left in my wallet. The market area is spread to a stretch, with rows of shops comprising branded showrooms to handicraft stalls and good number of eateries as well. After having Masala Chah (Spice Tea) and some local snacks, we loitered around the market area helplessly following her with loads on my shoulders till they were gradually heavier enough and wallet empty with only coins left.

Nearby was the famous Lakhota Lake situated in the middle of the city and a road surrounding the lake, it was pretty dark thus we just drove around to take a view. Unlike Kankaria Lake in Ahmadabad, Lakhota Lake didn’t impress much. Lakhota Palace and museum and the Bhujiyo Kotho, the other tourist attractions are also situated on the isles of Lakhota Lake.

I was very excited to visit the Marine Sanctuary hence, decided to sleep as early as to start at 6 am for Narara. At 7.30 am we reached Vadinar. A right turn from there leads towards Narara. After plying for 2 kms a dusty track of another 2 km further straight leads towards the mangrove and a left towards the restricted Narara Port on tarred road. Again, there is no signboard and you won’t find anyone for enquiries too, so please mind to go straight after turning right from Vadinar to avoid entering into the restricted area of the port.

Finally we reached at a point with a gate with board of No-Entry. The forest office on the left with a guard welcomed us. Mr. Thakkar’s references again worked and we were greeted with a cup of tea and snacks. The Delhi Plate car was a surprise to all and was more astonished to know that we were driving all the way from Delhi. He informed that the marine park is a restricted area and only allowed with a guide. Surprised! Please don’t, because there wasn’t any official guide, locals in company with the forest guards, engage in guiding the seldom visitors for Rs. 100/- only. They are generally students and natives of nearby villages. The forest guard asked us to pay Rs. 100/- each as entry fee the vehicle can be parked only just after entering the No Entry gate. We paid the same with official receipt, the guide may be paid in cash.

The entire area is a protected place and well guarded by CISF, posted on watch towers with sophisticated weapons because of its proximity to the international borders and the port. We were asked to wear shorts and slippers because of the mangrove and swamp ahead. After abiding by, we started our very exciting journey towards the sea. After traversing the bushes we reached the infinitive vastness of the shores with mangroves spotting here and there. During low tide the sea water recedes to as far as five km and gradually creeps back inundating the entire vast emptiness and the mangroves by noon.

Our guide, a 12th class lad of nearby village was quite knowledgeable and assured to show us some marine lives in their natural habitat. We had no idea what we were going for hence we just followed his steps. After a few minutes, he started turning the rocks to find something. We curiously and eyes wide, gazed his every minute activities. It was a different experience in totality, without high expectations, we were enjoying the walk in the vastness in ankle deep water. The first catch of the day was a crab creeping out from underneath a large rock. Click-click and go, another catch, a star fish then a frog shaped creature known as Puffer Fish, a rare catch as told, a wolf crab and many more. When looked back, we were far-far away from the land and water started deepening almost up to knee. Man! What an enthralling experience.

Our guide was still busy searching something to impress, finally he showed us some live corals existing here and there. A sea cucumber then a sponge type of creature which when touched left some sticky fluid kind of adhesive, a natural adaptation for existence, might be. Besides being busy in searching, the guide was also vigil to see the signs of high tides and water level because we were almost 5-6 km away from the land in the mighty territory of the Gulf of Kutch. At 9.30 am we were cautioned to start walking back towards the main land. Soon, we could feel the water level rising gradually and the mangrove trees being inundated slowly. Our guide gloomily told us that we were not lucky enough to see the Octopus, Green Tortoise and Jelly Fish, which are also sighted there often.

At 10.30 am we finally landed the dry area but the enthralling magnificence was something that lasted persistently. Looking back, it was unbelievable to see the entire vacant vastness was filled with water thus wiping our footprints forever. Nothing from the marine sanctuary is allowed to carry, not even a broken piece of shell so beware not to think of that because you might be thoroughly checked by the CISF at any point.

Compiled from Wikipedia:

“Marine National Park is situated on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch in the Jamnagar District. In 1980, an area of 270 km2 from Okha to Jodiya was declared Marine Sanctuary. Later, in 1982, a core area of 110 km2 was declared Marine National Park under the provisions of the Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972 of India. It is the first national marine park of India. There are 42 islands on the Jamnagar coast in the Marine National Park, most of them surrounded by reefs. The best known island is Pirotan. Among the fauna found here include: coral, dugong and the finless porpoise. There are 42 islands in the Arabian Sea with coral reefs and the park is situated in one of those.

As of now, the Forest Department – Gujarat, has restricted entry of tourists to Pirotan Island for conservation purpose, the option of visiting Narara is open. Narara is as good as Pirotan island with similar Marine life and Birds. Also, no boating is required and one can walk on the vastness on foot. However, for visiting this part of the Marine Sanctuary also, you will need permission from the Forest Department.

Marine National Park of Gulf of Kutch is a fragile ecosystem. In recent years, biodiversity of Marine Park has been under threat on several scores like extraction of corals and sands by cement industries, increased turbidity of water, oil refineries, chemical industries and mechanized fishing boats.”

After paying the guide and conveying cordial thanks to the forest officer, we were on our way to Bhuj. An extra 55 km run upto Jamnagar bye-pass then by turning right on SH-6 via Dhrol, Tankara upto Morbi and then back on NH-8A on Bhuj-Bhachau HW.

The Journey Continues ……