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Source- This post on Banni Grasslands has been created based on the article “How the Banni grasslands of Kachchh, Gujarat can be restored” published in “The Hindu” on 20 August 2024.
Why in News?
Researchers have conducted a new study assessing the suitability of different areas within the Banni grasslands in Kachchh district, Gujarat, for sustainable restoration. Banni grasslands are among the largest grasslands in the country.
About Banni Grasslands
| Specification | Details |
| Location | Kutch district of Gujarat |
| Size | 1) Covering 2,618 km², it represents nearly 45% of Gujarat’s grazing land. 2) It is considered to be the largest Grassland in Asia. |
| Ecosystem | Wetlands and grasslands coexist in Banni. |
| Vegetation | Features sparse growth dominated by low forbs and graminoids, including salt-tolerant varieties, along with scattered trees and scrub. |
| Flora and Fauna | The area is rich in flora and fauna with 192 species of plants, 273 species of birds, several species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. |
| Protection Efforts | 1) In 1955, the court notified the grassland will be a reserve forest. 2) In 2019, the NGT ordered to demarcate the boundaries of the Banni grassland and restricted non-forest activities. |
About Maldhari Tribe
1) The Maldharis is a pastoralist tribal group, living in the Gir National Park, in the Banni Grasslands Reserve area.
2) In 2021, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) recognized their right to conserve the community forests in the Banni Grasslands area under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Study and Restoration strategy of Banni Grassland
A recent study by researchers from KSKV Kachchh University in Gujarat assessed the Banni grasslands to determine how they can be restored. The study focused on ecological value as the main criterion for restoration.
Restoration Strategies
1. Highly Suitable and Suitable Zones: These areas can be restored easily by providing adequate water through irrigation or rainwater harvesting.
2. Moderately Suitable Zones: Grassland expansion can be managed here with some effort.
3. Marginally Suitable and Not Suitable Zones: These areas require more intensive interventions such as terracing, adding fertilizers, and protecting from erosion and salt intrusion.
UPSC Syllabus: Environment
