- A recently published study in Scientific Reports by researchers at KSKV Kachchh University has assessed the suitability of different areas of Banni for sustainable grassland restoration, considering ecological value to be the primary criterion.
- Banni Grassland is Asia’s largest tropical grassland located in western India
- The Kachchh district in Gujarat, home to the vast Banni grasslands, has seen its area reduce from 3,800 sq. km to 2,600 sq. km.
- They categorized the grassland zones into five suitability levels:
- 36% area as “highly suitable”.
- 28% area as “suitable”.
- 27% area as “moderately suitable”.
- 7% area as “marginally suitable”.
- 2% area as “not suitable”.
| Grasslands • Mainly in semiarid and arid regions, including savannahs, grassy shrublands, and open grasslands. • In India, grasslands cover about 8 lakh sq. km, or 24% of the country’s land area. • Provide critical ecosystem services such as carbon storage, climate mitigation, and pollination. • 49% of grasslands worldwide estimated to be degraded • Significant degradation due to deforestation, overgrazing, agriculture, and urbanisation compounded by a focus on forest conservation over grasslands. |
- The study noted that the “highly suitable” and “suitable” zones can be easily restored with adequate water sources.
- The “moderately suitable” zone also offers potential for expansion, while the “marginally suitable” and “not suitable” zones can be managed through interventions like terracing, fertilisers, and protection from erosion and salt intrusion.
- The assessment considered 20 parameters including soil characteristics, satellite data on land use, and geomorphology.
- The species like the great Indian bustard and Bengal florican depend on it.
| Banni Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): The Banni buffalo is a distinct breed found only in the Banni grasslands. Known for its high milk yield, this breed is well adapted to the harsh climatic conditions and saline water of the region. Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur): The Indian wild ass is a notable species found in the grasslands, particularly in the Rann of Kutch, which borders the Banni area. Kharai Camel (Camelus dromedarius), also known as the Swimming Camel. This unique breed is native to the coastal regions of Gujarat, particularly in the Banni grasslands and the surrounding areas. |
Dig Deeper: Read about various species associated with the Grassland Ecosystem.
