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Ecology & Environment, Geography
Mahesh

08/07/22 06:15 AM IST

Gujarat to restore 76,000 hectares of Banni grasslands

In News 
  • The Gujarat state Forest Department intends to restore 76,000 hectares of Banni grasslands in the coming decade, starting with a target of 10,000 hectares of land next year.
Banni Grassland 
  • It is the largest grassland (accounting for 45% of pastures in Gujarat) in Asia situated near the Great Rann of Kutchin Gujarat.
  • Two ecosystems, wetlands and grasslands, are mixed side by side in Banni.
  • It is dominated by low-growing plants, forbs and graminoids, many of which are halophiles (salt-tolerant).
  • It is a Reserve Forest (most restricted forest; local people are prohibited unless specifically allowed by a Forest Officer in the course of the settlement.
  • Maldharis are a tribal herdsmen community inhabiting Banni.
  • It is one of the last remaining habitats of the cheetahin India and a possible reintroduction site for the species.
Concerns 
  • Heavy uncontrolled grazing, widespread ingress of Prosopis Juliflora (a harmful exotic tree species), dams constructed on rivers flowing towards Banni, periodic occurrence of droughts and continuous increase in soil salinity.
Source- TimesNow 

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