Banni Grasslands

Current Context : Researchers have assessed the suitability of different areas of Banni for sustainable grassland restoration, considering ecological value to be the primary criterion.

ABOUT BANNI GRASSLANDS

• Location: Kutch district of Gujarat, India.
• Area: approximately 2,000 square kilometers.
• Climate: semi-arid climate with extreme temperatures, very hot summers, and moderate monsoon rainfall.
• Biodiversity: The grasslands support a range of flora and fauna. It is a home to 37 grass species, 275 bird species, and domesticated animals like Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Horses and Camel, as well as wildlife. Asiatic Wild Ass (Khur), which is one of the key species in the region.
• Flora: Grasses, shrubs, and some scattered trees adapted to the arid conditions comprises Prosopis Juliflora, Cressa critica, Cyperus spp, Sporobolus, Dichanthium, and Aristida.
• Fauna: Apart from the Asiatic Wild Ass, the region supports other wildlife, such as blackbuck, nilgai, and various small mammals and reptiles.