The state of Gujarat is located in the western part of India. It has the Great Rann of Kutch, hills, historic forts and palaces. These, along with museums, temples, fauna and flora, fairs and festivals and folk arts draw a plethora of tourists to this state. The state of Gujarat is also blessed with a number of islands, which have lent beauty to it.
Piram Island
Piram Island is located in Bhavnagar district. This island occupies 186 acres, half of it being wasteland. Objects of archeological importance found here are fossils of dinosaur eggs, giraffe and gigantic turtles. They have been estimated to be as old as 8,000 years. Piram Island houses different species of birds, endangered species of sea turtle, olive ridley sea turtle and green sea turtle. It also has mangrove vegetation.
Bet Dwarka
Bet Dwarka is located about 3 km (2 mi) off the coast of Okha at the mouth of Gulf of Kutch. This inhabited island is a strip of sand and stone. It houses temples like temple of Abhyay Mata and Dargahs like Bawa Peer Dargah and Haji Kirmai Dargah. Objects of archeological importance found here are shipwrecks, stone anchors, Late Harappan seal, an inscribed jar, mould of coppersmith, a copper fishhook etc.
Pirotan
Pirotan Island is an Arabian Sea island in Jamnagar district. It occupies an area of about 3 square kilometers. Public entry is permitted on this island. This island comprises of mangroves and low-tide beaches. The mangroves consist mainly of species like Rhizophora, Avicennia and Ceriops. The sacred shrine of Khwaja Khijer Rahmatullahialaih is situated on the island.
Goose Island
As per estimations, a total of about 29 species of corals have been recorded on the Goose Island, out of which 7 are soft corals. Marine invertebrates and species of algae and sea grass have also been found on this island.
Shanmiyani Island
As per estimations, a total of about 13 species of corals have been recorded on the Shanmiyani Island, out of which 3 are soft corals. Erosion rate, strong wave action, pollution and human interference act as different threats to this island.
Gandhiyo Kado Island
Corals have not been found on Gandhiyo Kado Island. This island is a home to marine invertebrates. A total of about 24 bird species have also been found on this island, out of which 5 are resident and 12 are resident-migratory.
Other Islands of Gujarat
Man Marodi Island, Kyu Island, Devdi Island, Ashaba Island, Noru Island, Bhains Bid Island, Chank Island, Lengha Marodi Island and Kalubhar Island are some of the other Islands in Gujarat.
