How the Banni grasslands of Kachchh, Gujarat can be restored

How the Banni grasslands of Kachchh, Gujarat can be restored

Sub: Env

Sec: Protected Area

Grasslands and Their Importance:

• Grasslands are among the largest ecosystems globally, found mainly in semiarid and arid regions, including savannahs and grassy shrublands.
• They support unique species, offer ecosystem services such as carbon storage and climate mitigation, and face degradation due to deforestation, overgrazing, agriculture, and urbanization.
• About 49% of grasslands worldwide are estimated to be degraded.

Grasslands in India:

• In India, grasslands cover approximately eight lakh sq. km, or 24% of the country’s land area.
• These grasslands are threatened by agricultural conversion, plantation projects, invasive species, and large development projects.
• There is a bias towards forest conservation, often at the expense of grasslands.

Banni Grasslands in Gujarat:

• Banni,one of India’s largest grasslands in Gujarat’s Kachchh district, once spanned 3,800 sq. km but has now reduced to 2,600 sq. km.
  • The Banni Grassland is a salt-tolerant ecosystem.
  • It is said to be Asia’s largest grassland.
  • The climate is arid and semi-arid, with extremely hot summers (temperatures above 45°C) and mild winters (12°C to 25°C), receiving 300-400 mm of annual rainfall mainly during the monsoon.
  • It is inhabited by pastoral communities like theMaldharis, who rely on livestock grazing (cattle, buffalo, and sheep) for their livelihood.
  • Agriculture is limited due to arid conditions, with some areas used for salt production.
  • Flora: Grasses such as Dichanthium, Sporobolus, and Cenchrus species, with salt-tolerant plants, shrubs, and trees like Acacia and the invasive Prosopis juliflora.
  • Fauna: Indian wolf, hyena, chinkara, Great Indian Bustard, flamingos, and various raptors, reptiles, and invertebrates.
• A study by KSKV Kachchh University assessed the restoration potential of different Banni areas based on ecological value.
• Findings of the Study:
  • The Banni grassland was divided into five zones for restoration:”highly suitable” (937 sq. km), “suitable” (728 sq. km), “moderately suitable” (714 sq. km), “marginally suitable” (182 sq. km), and “not suitable” (61 sq. km).
  • Zones categorized as “highly suitable” and “suitable” can be restored with adequate water sources.
  • Restoration in “marginally suitable” and “not suitable” zones can be aided by interventions like terracing and protection from erosion.
• Study Methodology and Impact:
  • The study used a holistic approach, analyzingsoil characteristics (nutrients, acidity, texture, etc.) and satellite data (land use, slope).
  • Soil samples were collected from 45 locations, with data obtained from the U.S. Sentinel 2 satellite and ASTER.
  • The findings could help create evidence-based policies for sustainable grassland management, enhancing biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods.

Importance of Grassland Conservation:

• The study’s findings support conservation efforts, particularly given the role of grasslands in carbon sequestration.
• Many bird species, like the great Indian bustard, rely on grasslands for breeding, but these habitats are shrinking due to human activities.
• There is a critical need for government action to conserve grasslands for future generations.

Source: TH