Banni Grassland

WHY IN NEWS?

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered all encroachments to be removed from Gujarat’s Banni grasslands within six months.

About Banni Grassland:

Location:

• Banni is the largest grassland of Asia situated near the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.
• It is spread over 2,618 kilometres and accounts for almost 45% of the pastures in Gujarat.

Ecosystem and Vegetation:

• Two ecosystems, wetlands and grasslands, are mixed side by side in Banni.
• Vegetation in Banni is sparse and highly dependent on rainfall.
  • Banni grasslands, traditionally, were managed following a system of rotational grazing.
• Banni is dominated by low-growing plants, forbs and graminoids, many of which are halophiles (salt tolerant), as well as scattered tree cover and scrub.
• The area is rich in flora and fauna, with 192 species of plants, 262 species of birds, several species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.