Essay

                        The Black Beauty at Velavadar

Blackbuck is the fastest of all the antelope (deer). It is found mainly in India, but also in parts of Nepal and some other countries. In India  it is found mainly in Maharashtra, Orrisa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Harayana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh,  Tamilnadu and Karnataka. In Gujarat, blackbucks are seen in Saurashtra. Its original habit is open plain and not dense jungles. There is the famous Blackbuck National Park at Velavadar in Bhal regions of Saurashtra. 

Let's know something about the Blackbuck National Park at Velavadar. It is situated in the Bhavnagar district of 

Gujarat state, India. It was established in 1976 in the Bhal region of Saurashtra, the part is located around 72 km from the district headquarter city of Bhavnagar. 

Though the park is open throughout the year, the period between monsoon and winter normally, mid-June to March-end is a good period to see the blackbuck. The best time to visit Velavadar National Park is from December to March because many species of Horriers, Lessers Florican, Eagles, Waders and many other water birds arrive to spend winter. 

Bhavnagar airport is connected with international airport of Mumbai and Ahmedabad with daily flight frequency. The closest railway station is at the town of Dhasa, which is about 50 km from the park. The historical town of Vallabhipur is about 30 km.

The blackbuck is also known as Krishna Jinka in Telugu language. It has been declared the state animal of Andhra Pradesh. Other local names for the species include Kala hiran, Sasin, Iralai Maan, Krishna Mriga in Kannada and Kalveet in Marathi.

According to the Indian mythology Blackbuck or Krishna Jinka is considerate as the vehicle of goddess-Moon. According to the Garuda Purana Krishna Jinka brings prosperity in the areas where they live.The blackbuck is famous for its spiral horns. The distinctive horns of the blackbuck are ringed with 1 to 4 spiral turns. They can be as long as 28 inches. In the male the upper body is black and the belly and  eye rings are white. The light-brown female is hornless. Blackbucks usually roam on the plains in herds of 15 to 20 animals with one male leader.

On the open plain the Blackbuck is one of the fastest animal and can out-turn most predators over long distance. It can run 80 mph when necessary. Cheetah is threat for the blackbuck. Other wild animals such as wolves and wild dogs prey upon the blackbuck.

The black buck is a herbivorous. ti lives on grass, plants, flower and fruits. The maximum life span recorded is about 16 years. 

The blackbuck is hunted for its flesh and its skin. Although Indian law strictly prohibits the hunting of these endangered animal, there are still occasional incidents of poaching.  

Moral: "Beauty with speed is feast forever."