How the Banni grasslands of Kachchh, Gujarat can be restored
- August 20, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
No Comments
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