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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on August 21, 2024

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How the Banni grasslands of Kachchh, Gujarat can be restored

For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment & ecology

Context:

The Kachchh district in Gujarat houses one of the largest tracts of grasslands in the country. In a new study, researchers have assessed the suitability of different areas of Banni for sustainable grassland restoration, considering ecological value to be the primary criterion

Read about:

What are Banni grasslands?

Significance of banni grasslands

Key takeaways:

• Expanding grasslands in the "moderately suitable" zone should not pose significant challenges. In the "marginally suitable" and "not suitable" zones, effective management can be achieved through methods like terracing, adding fertilizers, and safeguarding against issues such as excessive water run-off, erosion, and salt intrusion, according to the researchers.
• This study could offer the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and policymakers a strong basis for developing policies focused on the protection and restoration of degraded grasslands. 
• While some regional studies have been done, they often relied on single vegetation indicators like net primary productivity (NPP) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), without considering soil characteristics.
• The study was carried out in the Banni grassland area, where researchers gathered soil samples from 45 locations and data for geomorphological analysis.
• The data on slope, land use, and land cover was provided by the U.S. Sentinel 2 satellite and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER)

 More Information

The Banni grasslands are a unique ecosystem located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. Covering an area of about 3,847 square kilometers, they are one of the largest tropical grasslands in Asia. The Banni region is known for its semi-arid environment and distinct landscape, which is a mix of grasslands, shrublands, and seasonal wetlands.

Here's all you should know about banni grasslands:

• The Banni grasslands are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including several species of grasses, shrubs, and trees. They also support a wide range of wildlife, including migratory birds, reptiles, and mammals, such as the Indian gazelle (chinkara), wild boars, and desert foxes
• The Banni grasslands are inhabited by pastoral communities, primarily the Maldhari people, who practice traditional livestock rearing. The region is known for its indigenous breeds of cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats. The Banni buffalo, in particular, is a famous breed known for its high milk yield
• Over the years, the Banni grasslands have faced significant ecological challenges, including the spread of the invasive Prosopis juliflora (commonly known as mesquite), soil salinity, and water scarcity. These factors have contributed to the degradation of the grassland ecosystem
• Various efforts have been made to conserve and restore the Banni grasslands, including initiatives to manage invasive species, promote sustainable grazing practices,