Gujarat: From Asiatic Lions to the Statue of Unity

A state on the western coast of India with a coastline of 1,600 km (990 mi).
Fifth-largest Indian state by area and the ninth-largest state by population.
Bordered by Rajasthan to the northeast, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu to the south, Maharashtra to the southeast, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and the Arabian Sea and the Pakistani province of Sindh to the west.
Home to ancient Indus Valley Civilisation sites such as Lothal, Dholavira, and Gola Dhoro. Lothal is believed to be one of the world’s first seaports.
Gir Forest National Park is home to the only wild population of the Asiatic lion in the world.
Locally known as the “Jewel of the West.”
Shale Gas is found in the area of Cambay basin.
Sadhu Bet – Statue of Unity, a statue of Sardar Patel.
Gandhinagar is the greenest capital city in the whole of Asia.
Gujarat is the only home of Asiatic Lions and the only present natural habitat of lions outside Africa.
100% of Gujarat’s 18,000 villages have electricity connection.
Gujarat has the largest OFC (Optical Fiber Cable) network of more than 50,000 km.
The British East India Company set its first footsteps in Surat in 1818.
Gujarat is the largest producer of milk in India.
The world’s largest ship-breaking yard is in Gujarat near Bhavnagar at Alang.
More than 8 out of the 10 of the world’s diamonds are processed in the city Surat in Gujarat.
Surat is considered as the hub of the diamond business in the world after Antwerp, Belgium.
Gujarat International Finance Tec-City or GIFT is a central business district between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. It is India’s first International Financial Services Centre.
Surat is also known as the “Diamond City of India.”
AMUL (Anand Milk United Limited) was founded in 1946 to stop the exploitation by middlemen in Anand. Verghese Kurien, who was entrusted with the task of running the dairy from 1950, is also known as the Father of the White Revolution.
India’s first Bullet train project was launched between Ahmedabad and Mumbai with the help of Japan.
Gujarat has the largest coastline in India, approximately 1600 km, among states of India.
Dahej is a chemical port.
The largest district in the country is Kutch, and it is also the westernmost district of India. The Tidal Plant is situated in Kutch.
Bhuj Solar Pond is the first large-scale solar pond in India.
Black Hill (Kalo Dungar) is the highest point in Kachchh.
Gujarat accounts for about 80% of the diamonds processed and 90% of the diamonds exported from India.
Mehsana, Kalol, and Dholka are areas where oil resources are found.
The Gulf of Khambat and Gulf of Kutch have huge potential for generating tidal energy due to the significant variation in tidal range.
Gujarat also has a huge potential for wind energy and solar power generation.
The Sabarmati is the largest river in Gujarat followed by the Tapi.
The Narmada has the longest course through the state.
The Sardar Sarovar Project is built on the Narmada River, one of the major rivers of peninsular India where it is one of only three major rivers that run from east to west, the others being the Tapi and the Mahi.

Category	Information
State Animal	Asiatic Lion
State Bird	Greater Flamingo
State Tree	Mango
State Flower	Golgotha
Rivers	Luni, Sabarmati, Mahi, Narmada, Tapti, Banas, Saraswati, Damanganga
Geographical Features	– Ranges from deserts, scrublands, grasslands, deciduous forests, wetlands to mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and gulfs. – Coastal region – Semi-arid Kachchh region towards west – Kathiawar Peninsula (Saurashtra) – Alluvial Plain
Mountain Ranges	Garda hills, Barda hills, Gir range, Rajpipla hills, Chhota Udaipur hills, Black hills, Mandav hills
Arts and Crafts	– Bandhani or tie-and-dye fabric – Woven Patola fabric – Rich embroidery by Rabari tribals – Soof embroidery
Dance, Drama & Music	– Dandiya Raas – Garba dance – Tippani – Padhar Dance – Bhavi Folk drama – Hallisaka – Dangi Nrita
Protected Areas	– Gir National Park (Lion, Leopard, Chital, Chausinga, Hyena, Sambar, Chinkara, Herpetofauna, Crocodiles, and birds) – Vansda National Park (Leopard, Hyena, Chital, Chausinga, Birds, Herpetofauna) – Black Buck National Park (Blackbuck, Wolf, Houbara bustard, Harrieres, Lesser florican, Herpetoufaua) – Marine National Park (Sponges, Corals, Jellyfish, Sea horse, Octopus, Oyster, Pearl oyster, Starfish, Lobster, Dolphin, Dugong, Waterfowls) – Great Rann of Kutch biosphere reserve – Asiatic Lions in Gir forest, Wild Ass in the Rann of Kutchh, Indian bustards in bird reserves, four-horned Antelope and Black Buck are among many animals and birds protected in Gujarat – The Whale Shark breeds on the coasts of Gujarat – Okha is a place where dugong is found – Gulf of Kutchh is India’s first Marine National Park – Dry deciduous forests Gir<br> – Majestic grasslands Velavadar – Vast landscapes Little Rann of Kutch<br> – Wetland habitats Nalsarovar – Marine ecosystems Pirotan Islands<br> – Rich moist deciduous forests Dense forests of the Dangs
Ramsar Sites	Nalsarovar Bird sanctuary
Important Projects	– Sardar Sarovar Project – Narmada river – Kakrapa Project – Tapi river – Mahi Project – Mahi Project – Ukai Project – Tapi river
World Heritage Sites	– Rani-Ki-Vav, Patan – Champaner-Pavagarh Archeological Park – Historic city of Ahmedabad
GI Tags	– Sankheda Furniture – Agates of Cambay – Kutch Embroidery – Tangaliya Shawl – Surat Zari Craft – Gir Kesar Mango – Bhalia Wheat – Kachchh Shawls – Patan Patola – Sankheda Furniture – Kutch Embroidery – Agates of Cambay – Jamnagari Bandhani – RajKot Patola – Pethapur Printing Blocks – Mata Ni Pachedi (Religious textile folk art featuring Mother Goddess)